The sun is just barely over the horizon in the Fifth Fleet AOR and the Boatswain’s Mate of the Watch onboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) can already be heard piping and calling out, “Man the boat deck. Set gun quarters. Muster the VBSS Team (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team) in the VBSS locker.” The ship’s Combat Information Center (CIC) and navigation team have been carefully tracking a dhow through the night to ensure a successful early morning wake-up call on this suspect vessel.

Gunston Hall was deployed in May 2005 as part of a wave of surge deployments to fight the Global War on Terrorism. It has been a busy deployment so far for the crew ensuring that they stand true to the ship’s motto, “Defending the Constitution”. When she is not escorting U.S. Navy Submarines, performing exercises with the French, Saudi Arabians, and Pakistanis, the ship is conducting VBSS operations.

“We find it an honor that we were surged for the War on Terror to the Gulf. As a member of the US Navy it is our duty to defend and ensure safety upon our land. This mission is the ultimate opportunity to express patriotism to our country. We are making the most of every day”, said Gunston Hall Commanding Officer, CDR Thomas M. Negus.

With the ever-growing concern of terrorism since 11 September, the Navy has decided to take the War on Terrorism to the Arabian Gulf and conduct Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO). The goal of MIO is to inspect 100% of all cargo vessels while collecting intelligence concerning International Terrorist Organization (ITO) shipping and high traffic area characteristics. Gunston Hall’s VBSS teams have played a pivotal role in these operations.

“Gunston Hall is the first Navy ship to effectively and efficiently launch VBSS teams on LCUs. It is an exciting concept with unlimited potential”, commented LCDR John McLaughlin, Boarding Officer for VBSS Team One.

As the two nine-man VBSS teams prepare to conduct a boarding they share the 7-meter and 11-meter Rubber Hull Inflated Boat (RHIB) on the boat deck. “One thing we have learned this deployment is that LSDs are an ideal platform for VBSS and MIO missions. The speed and maneuverability of the rhibs onboard combined with the logistical support offered by the LCUs make the job easy”, said Gunston Hall’s Operations Officer, LTjg Joseph Johansen.

The VBSS teams board dhows, the typical boat in the region used for shipping and fishing, on a regular basis, looking for any evidence of illicit cargo and/or human smuggling as well as any intelligence evidence of ties to ITO. “Gunston Hall’s VBSS teams have been able to draw actionable intelligence and develop trust with vessels it has come in contact with along the way”, said McLaughlin, also the ship’s Dental Officer. After gaining trust of the crew

“We have to balance the scales between being too aggressive in boarding vessels for inspection, and gathering important information in regards to local traffic patterns and activity. There is a fine line that you must follow in order to gain proper cooperation. They have to understand our ultimate goals can benefit them, and if possible, a rapport should be established. This actually takes quite a bit of trial an error”, commented the Intelligence Photographer from VBSS Team One, OS2 Jeb Kramer.

The process of boarding a dhow or any vessel is usually dependent upon the ship’s current mission. “If we are not operating under the guidance of specific operation, the Task Force Commander will grant permission to board vessels base on intelligence and the Commanding Officer’s recommendation.” said LTjg Benjamin Eastburn, Boarding Officer for VBSS Team Two.

“We are doing more than actively searching for International Terrorist Organization’s activities,” explained Eastburn, a Fairfield, IA native. “The VBSS teams are also ambassadors for the United States, developing good rapport and stilling trust in the fight for the people’s hearts and minds.”
At the end of the boarding another vessel has been cleared by the “World Famous” Gunston Hall, water and oranges given to the crew of the dhow, and greetings exchanged by skippers. With a friendly smile and wave the VBSS team turns back toward “home” knowing they have done their part to fight the War of Terrorism.