Commander Sub Group 9 Reserves Train on the 'Northern Edge'

Since 03-20-03

By Spc. Douglas DeMaio, Northern Edge Public Affairs

VALDEZ, Alaska (NNS) -- For Naval Reserve Commander, Submarine Group 9, being a part of Northern Edge 2003 (NE03), Alaska's premier joint training exercise, is a unique experience. For the first time in more than 18 months, the group's two detachments, based out of Bangor, Wash., and Alameda, Calif., are working hand-in-hand with one another after being deployed on various missions throughout the world.

"Northern Edge allows for us to build on all the elements of our infrastructure," said Cmdr. Robert Willis, commanding officer of the unit's force protection operations. "Our main goal up here is to work on our weapons qualification and interoperability between the two detachments and other units." Training in Valdez allows the group to practice its defensive tactics against an opposing force and determine how well the Sailors communicate with one another.

The group provides force protection for high value assets outside of their normal ports, Willis said. To sharpen their skills and assess their mission performance, the group is practicing with weapons the detachments use and is providing security for the docked USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39).

Providing force protection for the moored ship is not the only focus for the group during NE03. The group will participate in Homeland Security drills during part of the exercise. "Our training is centered on both operations," said Chief Master-at-Arms James Donaldson, security operations chief.

Reporting and sharing information and intelligence with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as local and federal law enforcement agencies, is part of the group's responsibility, said Donaldson, who works for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in Stockton, Calif. Having another set of eyes and ears will help provide the United States protection against terrorism.

"The fortunate thing for me is that I work in law enforcement on both the military and civilian side," said Donaldson. Many of the Reserve unit's personnel are in law enforcement, which Willis said is important because they bring with them a unique skill set. They already know who to report and share information with, Willis said. Their civilian law enforcement skills give them the ability to interact with public and law enforcement agencies as soon as they arrive on scene.

Working on both sides gives the Sailors an easy transition, Donaldson said. Knowing federal statues and constitutional law helps the group understand rules they must follow. "This is the type of environment we operate in," Donaldson said. "We need to remain flexible and understand [where] we fit into the overall mission - protecting our assets from all possible threats."

C. Michael Garverick
Executive Director
Naval Submarine League www.navalsubleague.com 
(703) 256-0891(V) - (703) 642-5815 (FAX)