Senior enlisted Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) recently completed Armed Sentry and Security Reaction Force Basic (SRF-B) Training for their Antiterrorism Tactical Watch Officer (ATTWO) qualification.

SRF-B is a standardized security training program designed to better support watch standing personnel across the Navy. During the program Sailors are further educated on how to defend against attacks on the pier or on the ship. Especially as Antiterrorism Tactical Watch Officers on a Navy warship.

"The Security Reaction Force - Basic (SRF-B) course provides crucial security force knowledge and tactical training for watchstanders in direct support of Antiterrorism Force Protection (ATFP)," said Chief Master-at-Arms Craig McClarty. "Sailors are trained to provide 360 degree protection by actively seeking to detect, deter, mitigate and defend WASP against any threats."

This training becomes increasingly important for ATTWO watch standers, for they are responsible for protection and defense of the ship while it's in port or at anchor.

"The SRF-B training is incredibly important because it teaches Sailors how to properly defend their ship against attacks while in port," said Senior Chief Personnel Specialist Clyde Adams. "I completed this training in route to become an ATTWO on our ship."

The course not only taught Sailors how to deal with real life scenarios that they could possibly encounter, but also gave them the confidence as an armed watch stander to deal with them accordingly.

"If I were put in a difficult situation before I received this training, I'm not sure how I would've handled it," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Joseph Laumakis. "Now, however, I know exactly what to do. Our instructors really are the best. They made learning this material fun, even when you're applying what you know in reality might not be."

"The worst part of the course is getting OC (oleoresin capsicum) sprayed," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Cameron Graham. "Once the worst part is over, we did a lot of hands on class room training that boosted the confidence of our class as ATTWO watch standers."

Wasp is transiting to Sasebo, Japan, to conduct a turnover with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

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