 |
FST personnel launch from LSD 42.
Navy photo |
SHOALWATER BAY, Australia -- A Fleet Survey Team from Stennis Space Center, Miss., embarked on dock landing ship
USS Germantown (LSD 42) and took to the waters of Shoalwater Bay to conduct hydrographic surveys prior to
Germantown's amphibious operations. Hydrographic surveys provide mission critical information about water depth levels and help chart a map of the seafloor to better optimize shore landings during amphibious operations. While it's more common to fly a survey team ahead of the ship, Commander Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11,
Germantown's parent command, prefers to embark an FST on the ship, where they would have more flexibility to perform surveys from the sea.
Germantown is on patrol with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is participating in exercise Talisman Saber 2013 in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. (Source:
NNS, 07/16/13)
