The Everett home ported frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) conducted a torpedo recovery exercise while pierside, April 10.

The MK-46 recovery exercise torpedo (REXTORP) was launched from the port side of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate from the Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT).

The REXTORP is an inert training torpedo that is shaped and weighs the same as an active torpedo, without the propulsion, armament or guidance systems contained in a normal torpedo.

“It is something we can shoot from the tube just like a real weapon, but it does not go anywhere or do anything once in the water just floats to the top and waits for the recovery team to hoist it back aboard,” said Ford Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John Wilshusen. “The nice thing is that we can reuse it multiple times without any added cost other than the time to prepare it for another launch.”

The SVTT launches torpedoes under local control or remote control from an anti-surface warfare (ASW) fire control system.

“Our exercise today was performed to meet crew training requirements in loading and firing torpedoes from SVTT,” said Wilshusen. “We are required to conduct this exercise on a periodic basis to maintain proficiency in this basic war fighting capability.”

Ford also lent a hand to a nearby ship during a similar exercise.

“The guided missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) launched the REXTORP we used today about a week ago while conducting a similar exercise. Their small boat was inaccessible because of their position alongside the pier, so they asked us for assistance in recovering the torpedo after they fired it last week,” explained Wilshusen.

Wilshusen added that with reductions in steaming time, all the ships on the waterfront are looking for ways to maintain skills while in port.

“This is a good example of new ways of doing old business,” he said.

Normally this exercise would be done underway, and would tie up the entire ship for a period of two or three hours while the weapon was launched and recovered.

“By conducting the event pier side, we can focus the training on just the people it takes to run the drill and recover the weapon, without burning any fuel or losing time to conduct other training which we can only accomplish underway,” said Wilshusen.

In the end, Ford was able to meet training objectives safely and effectively at greatly reduced expense, which, Wilshusen said, makes it a winner for the Sailors, their ships, and the Navy.

“I personally think it is a great example of cooperation between the ships of Destroyer Squadron 9 to make the most of every training opportunity that we have, and the best part is that all the planning and preparation was done between the two ships at the departmental level and divisional levels,” said Wilshusen.