Sailors assigned to guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) conducted visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises in support of simulated maritime interdiction operations (MIO) June 29 in preparation for an upcoming deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2.

These exercises are designed to train the VBSS team on real-world situations when querying a suspect vessel. VBSS is utilized when vessels are believed to be handling illicit cargo, handling persons illegally transported by sea, or any other prohibited activity in their area of operation.

"This was the Phil Sea's first MIO exercise; we were tasked with boarding [TSV-2 Hugo]," said VBSS officer Ensign Hunter Delano. "The goal was to train, perform a search, and to demonstrate the Philippine Sea VBSS team's capabilities for CSG 2. The boarding went smoothly and safely, and was a success due to the recent training the team received during their VBSS certification with Atlantic Training Group (ATG)."

The training process is vital and integrates operational and intelligence entities who work together to identify and determine possible threats.

"It's (VBSS) a perishable skill for the boarding team," said Lt. Eric Smitley, Philippine Sea's weapons officer. "Not only do these exercises provide training for VBSS, but also for the bridge watchstanders. A lot of precise ship handling techniques are utilized during an evolution."

"For me, VBSS is about the safety of the member next to you; it's about the safety of the crew you are boarding, and ultimately it's about the safety of the waterways you are a part of," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class Michael Graf. "We all join this group because we want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, with the knowledge that things can be turned upside down in a moment's notice. And we are ready."

Philippine Sea is currently underway for a group sail in preparation for its upcoming deployment with the George H.W. Bush Strike Group.

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