As amphibious assault ship USS Boxer's (LHD 4) deployment draws near, the Small Craft Action Team (SCAT) is preparing to defend the ship and her crew against small surface and low flying air threats.

"SCAT's purpose is to defend Boxer from possible attacks that may come from enemy vessels," said Lt. j.g. Jordan Klein, from Olympia, Washington, Boxer's Gun Officer.

"The team is the primary surface weapon system for Boxer; we can man our weapons faster than we can launch aircraft in an emergency situation and are able to defend more effectively from close-in threats."

The team is made up of Sailors who are qualified to handle the .50 caliber and MK38 25mm machine guns which are manned during threat conditions.

"In order to qualify for SCAT, a Sailor would have to first have all basic shipboard qualifications," said Chief Gunner's Mate Andrae Chapman, from Salisbury, Maryland, the gun control officer aboard Boxer. "Next, they must complete a personnel qualification standard that consists of weapon familiarization and ability to breakdown the .50 caliber machine gun and put it back together. Finally, the person must complete a live-fire qualification shoot consisting of 100 rounds."

SCAT also joins forces with snipers and machine gunners from the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

"Boxer Sailors work with Marine snipers from Weapons Company, as well as machine gunners from Golf Company," said Klein, "We have been integrating them into SCAT in preparation for the upcoming deployment."

Together the Sailors and Marines conducted training that focused on timeliness and shooting with accuracy. Also, each gun mount was evaluated on their ability to properly communicate and coordinate with one another during several certification exercises.

"Our SCAT team is very well prepared for our upcoming deployment," said Chapman, "[SCAT] has been tested throughout several shipboard inspections during the training cycle. In each of our assessments, we have passed with flying colors. Boxer's SCAT has received high praise from the Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Carrier Strike Group 15, Afloat Training Group, and Third Fleet assessors."

The Sailors who join SCAT come from various different work areas of the Navy, which include anything from administrative work to aviation repair.

"It takes a certain type of Sailor to be part of SCAT," said Chapman. "They have to have a quick reaction response, be able to operate under extreme pressure, and have the confidence to pull the trigger at any respective target when the order is given. With over a thousand Sailors aboard, only 36 of them make up this special group of personnel who will do everything in their means to protect Boxer and ensure we return home safe to our loved ones."

Each Sailor has their own reason why they chose to step up to this potentially dangerous position.

"I decided to join because ever since that fateful day when Aviation Ordnanceman John Finn fearlessly defended his base, while under attack during Pearl Harbor, and earned the Medal of Honor, AOs have known that their legacy lives in the trigger-pull of every .50 caliber machine gun," said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Joshua Todd, one of SCAT's gunners. "As an AO, I feel comfortable behind such a weapon. We are a highly motivated reaction force and are not to be messed with."

For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4), visit www.navy.mil/.