Two U.S. military branches working together for a common goal; this is precisely what happened as U.S. Army pilots with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade successfully conducted deck landing qualifications (DLQ) aboard amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), Feb. 21-22.

One CH-47F Chinook helicopter and two UH-60Q Black Hawk helicopters, based out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, participated in the DLQs, giving the Army pilots an opportunity to become more familiar with landing aboard Navy ships. The qualification took place during Exercise Cobra Gold 2017, the largest theater security cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region.

"This is a superb opportunity to train with and assist our Army counterparts in enhancement of a vital skill set," said Capt. Nathan Moyer, Green Bay's commanding officer. "This type of qualification is integral to the Army, in the event that pilots need to conduct a medical evacuation aboard a Navy ship in the future. The continued hard work and dedication from the Army pilots and Green Bay Sailors made this qualification evolution run smoothly."

During joint exercises such as Cobra Gold, military branches are looking to increase cross-training with each other. Landing Army helicopters aboard a Navy ship such as Green Bay, although rare, is becoming more important as operations diversify.

"This training is a very unique opportunity to get a wide range of Army pilots deck landing qualified," said Lt. Cmdr. John Caldecutt, Green Bay's air boss. "We are privileged to give them the chance to gain proficiency in a skill set they rarely use."

Green Bay Sailors are accustomed to the various types of Marine Corps helicopters they land on a normal basis; however, many of them have no experience with Army helicopters.

"Even though this was my first time signaling to an Army helicopter, it was exciting being able to assist the pilots with their qualification," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Amado Banosderrickson.

As Green Bay Sailors were becoming more familiar with Army helicopters, the Army pilots were familiarizing themselves with an underway ship's flight deck.

"It's unnatural for us to take instructions from Navy landing signalmen enlisted on the flight deck," said 1st Lt. Matthew Ryan, assistant operations officer of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, and pilot of Nighthawk 16. "In order for us to land and take off, we need to trust in them and their signals. The Green Bay Sailors did an excellent job of guiding us safely."

The qualifications lasted two days, and showed why Sailors aboard Green Bay are well-trained and capable of any situation.

"Our Sailors did an excellent job assisting the Army in their qualification," said Moyer. "The overall evolution was a success, and Green Bay is looking forward to conducting these types of operations with the Army in the future."

Green Bay is on a routine patrol, operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance partnerships and be a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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For more news from USS Green Bay (LPD 20), visit http://www.navy.mil/.