Beach Party Team (BPT) Delta continues to push through work-ups as they are next to deploy for Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 1.

This command is unique because it typically does not deploy as a whole. Shore-based beach party teams support amphibious ready group deployments on a rotational basis.

BPT Delta consists of 32 Sailors who recently graduated from the Defensive Combat Operations (DCO) course. The teams not only need to be familiar with the rapidly-changing environment in regards to understanding tides and how that can effect landing the craft, but they must be trained in all facets of perimeter and self-defense.

The DCO course is designed to train Sailors on weapons familiarization, tactical movement, to provide security during beach operations, to understand basic combat medicine and basic navigation, and to extract during hostile engagements.

"In the next few weeks, Delta will participate in several exercises with Marines and Sailors of the USS America (LHA 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)," said Delta's BPT Officer in Charge, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Pedro Flores. "They will be tested and given the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to plan and execute a full range of missions from combat operations to humanitarian assistance in an unpredictable environment."

Outside of what the Sailors are taught in the course, they also benefit from working together in a stressful environment which tends to increase morale and gives them an understanding of what they can accomplish as a team to execute the mission.

"The training opened up our minds to the bigger picture," said Delta BPT member, Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Peter Boschetti. "As the stress level increases, we can look back on the course, use the skills learned there and this could save our lives one day."

Deployment is a difficult time our nation's Sailors are trained and equipped to effectively execute.

"Though times might seem tough, I am excited and ready for deployment," said Flores. "We have been working hard year-round and I am looking forward to the training the U.S. Navy does
with its Marine Corps counterparts."

As BPT Delta continues to prepare for deployment, they move into their Final Evaluation Problem (FEP), which will challenge them to exercise their skills learned throughout the work-ups.

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For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 3, visit www.navy.mil/.