When the loading of 1 of the transport ships after returning from abroad raised suspicion, an order was issued to take control of the unit. Soldiers of the Battleship Squadron, Commandos of Formozy and Navy SEALs moved into the operation. This was the script of the exercises that were carried out on board the ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski".
Joint training of Polish and American soldiers afraid the acquisition and search of ships (visit, board, search and seizure – VBSS). It was attended by soldiers of control groups (boarding teams) of the Battleship Squadron (doB), operators of the Formoz Military Unit and the American Navy SEALs peculiar unit.
Suspect ship on the horizon
The exercise script included a visit to the Battleship Squadron control groups on 1 of the cargo ships. Soldiers had to respond to the suspicion that it was utilized to transport illegal substances or dangerous materials. However, the operation did not run smoothly. While taking control of the unit, the boarding squad was attacked by armed crew members. Then the operators of Formozy and Navy SEALs, on work for fast consequence forces in the area, entered into action. – The multifaceted exercise script was planned in collaboration with the Combat Squadron officers and JW Formoz. He covered all stages of the operation, from designation and planning, the usage of radio procedures, control and verification of the ship's documentation, to boarding and taking control of the unit despite the opposition of the aggressive and armed crew, as reported by Lt. Grzegorz Sidor, commander of the department of the ORP frigata "Gen. K. Pulaski", who played the function of a transporter for the exercise.
There were about 50 soldiers on board. They practiced the techniques of entry and departure from the ship's deck, elements of blue tactics, i.e. action in the aquatic environment, and black operations in the built-up area, as well as the medical skills of the battlefield and evacuation of wounded from the ship's occupied deck. “It was besides an different chance to share experience and excellent global cooperation,” adds Mar. Sidor.
On water and in darkness
The teams active in the action moved fast motor boats, had telescopic poles with speleo ladders and tactical hook ladders at their disposal to facilitate boarding. After boarding the ‘goods ship’, operators had to operate in tight and hard-to-access spaces. Therefore, they moved to the operation with CQB (Close Quarters Battle) equipment, i.e. to fight in close contact, including devices to execute tasks in full darkness. It turned out that in order to take control of the ship, they had to penetrate the metallic barrier, imitating the ship's hatch. But the assault groups were besides prepared for specified a circumstance, in this case, the break tools and exhaust saws were useful.
Polish-American cooperation
The planning phase of the full operation and the preceding briefing were in Formozy staff buildings. The actions themselves were carried out on board the ORP "Gen. K. Pulaski". – The Polish ship was perfect for this kind of training due to its size and number of rooms. During the exercise, he served as a cargo ship for global liner shipping, which, due to late visited abroad ports, and besides based on exploratory information, was classified as VOI/COI (vessel of interest/callsign of interest) and was subject to control, says the department commander of ORP Gen. K. Pulaski.
The roles of crewmen of a suspicious ship were played by members of 1 of the boarding groups of the Battleship Squadron, who frequently practice capturing and searching ships in cooperation with another NATO ships. This time, however, they had a unique chance to operate together with an elite U.S. Navy peculiar operations unit. – The presence of soldiers of the U.S. Navy peculiar unit SEALs during the training of dOB boarding groups and Formozy operators is an exceptional occasion. American operators were present due to separate training with JW Formoza, but they agreed to take part in these exercises too," cf. Mar. Sidor.
