McCain crew completes basic certification

The crew aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain (DDG 56) successfully completed Basic Phase Certification earlier this month, the US Navy (USN) confirmed on 16 June.

The USN has been repairing and revamping McCain since the ship suffered damage in August 2017 following a collision with the oil tanker MV Alnic MC near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Malacca, resulting in the deaths of 10 sailors.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain (DDG 56) left Singapore on the heavy-lift ship MV Treasure in October 2017 to be transported for repairs. The ship and crew achieved Basic Phase Certification on 2 June 2020. (US Navy)

McCain entered Basic Phase Training in November 2019 following the completion of required maintenance, the USN reported. Since then, the crew has undergone extensive in-port and underway training with teams from Afloat Training Group (ATG) and the Center for Surface Combat Systems. The ship and crew completed the Basic Phase Certification on 2 June.

Basic Phase Training and Certification is an extensive process required for all naval surface ships prior to operational tasking, the USN said. McCain crew members received instruction and evaluation in 23 different areas including seamanship, navigation, supply, engineering, electronic warfare, medical, and damage control drills. The training process begins with basic level of knowledge and builds up to integrated operations in complex environments designed to simulate real-world events.