ABOARD USS CHOSIN -- Since the end of combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in May, maritime interception operation (MIO) teams have continued to routinely board and check merchant vessel traffic in the Arabian Gulf to make sure nothing illegal comes from or goes into Iraq.
Even though pre-war sanctions have been lifted, there are still prohibited items leaving the country. When interception teams board a ship, they are specifically looking for weapons or items that could be used as bombs. Each interception is different for each team. They never know if the mission will be uneventful and routine, or if it will turn up contraband.
Crew members aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) have learned that being prepared for anything can make the job a bit easier. When the words, “Man the boat deck!” boom throughout the ship, the MIO team gets set.
The MIO team aboard Chosin waits on the boat deck for the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) while concentrating on what they have to do when they start their mission. As the RHIB pulls away from Chosin, the chief of the boat receives a debrief from the bridge about their objective. They need to know everything about the boat they are going to board - which direction it’s moving, what kind of boat it is, who they think is aboard and most importantly, what they think might be on that boat.
Many times, the crew doesn’t have an idea about what to expect. Their challenges may range from a simple language barrier to the danger of shots being fired. They need to be prepared for everything. The MIO teams don’t board every boat in the Arabian Gulf. They will only board the boats that do not respond to repeated calls.
“The reason we do MIOs is to help stabilize the maritime environment and ensure the orderly flow of traffic in and around the port of Umm Qasr,” said Capt. Mark Kellam, commander, Task Group 55.1, the Maritime Interception Force (MIF) task group.
The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, and the navies of Australia, Great Britian, Poland, Spain and Holland, have all had a part in MIOs and bringing security and stability back to the Umm Qasr port.
“We’re all actually with the same organization. We all work together, and we’re all a team,” said Kellam.
Right now, Chosin serves as the command platform for the MIF Commander, even though that position is held by an Australian captain. When Chosin leaves the Gulf, another ship will take its place, and the MIO responsibilities will move to that ship. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Baranof (WPB 1318) and Chosin MIO teams are currently keeping the Gulf manned.
There are actually three MIO teams aboard Chosin. The first two teams perform four-hour patrols but will not board the ships. They will call the third team, or boarding team if there is a problem. **** There are three teams within the boarding team, the security team and two sweep teams, plus a boarding officer and assistant boarding officer.
“Usually, if you take an eight-man team, there will be two people per team. There will be two Sweep Ones, two Sweep Twos, two Security guys, a Boarding Officer and an Assistant Boarding Officer,” said Torpedoman’s Mate 3rd Class Cameron Alexander, a Chosin crew member and Sweep team member.
