REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- After contributing over 650 search hours to the Indonesian-led search effort for AirAsia flight QZ8501, USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) concluded their assistance efforts on Thursday (15/1).
The ships received praise from Indonesian authorities, according to NNS of Japan, as quoted by the United States Embassy in Jakarta on its official website on Thursday.
Working in coordination with the Government of Indonesia, the U.S. 7th Fleet assigned USS Sampson and USS Fort Worth to the mission shortly after the Dec. 28 crash.
USS Sampson departed from Singapore Dec. 29 and arrived on station in the Java Sea Dec. 30. The guided-missile destroyer with more than 300 crewmembers immediately began conducting surface and aerial searches in coordination with Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) near the suspected crash site.
Capt. Fred Kacher, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7 and in tactical command of Fort Worth and Sampson during the search efforts reflected, "Throughout both ships' time on station, the crews and divers performed as consummate professionals and superb ambassadors, both at-sea and ashore at Iskander Air Field. Our ability to respond quickly to this event highlights the importance of operating forward and maintaining a naval presence in Southeast Asia."
Sampson conducted around-the-clock surface search efforts using her two MH-60R helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35. She also employed optical sighting devices and radar systems to help locate wreckage and remains. Sampson used rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) to recover wreckage and debris.
"It was an honor to be part of this search effort," said Cmdr. Steven Foley, USS Sampson commanding officer. "Indonesia did a tremendous job in organizing this multinational search effort, and our sailors are proud to have been able to assist."
Working in coordination with the Government of Indonesia, the U.S. 7th Fleet tasked Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth to join in the search effort. After loading supplies and embarking an eight-member team from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, Fort Worth departed Singapore Jan. 2 and arrived on station Jan. 3.
USS Fort Worth brought maneuverability, speed and shallow draft to the search, allowing her 100-person crew to conduct expeditious visual and radar searches in a congested, shallow water environment. Her two 11-meter RHIBs conducted 107 hours of search operations.
'The crew worked around the clock to help support this search effort," said Cmdr. Kendall Bridgewater, commanding officer of USS Fort Worth. "The Littoral Combat Ship provided some unique capabilities to aid in the search, and I'm glad we've been able to assist.'
The MDSU 1 team also employed a remotely operated vehicle with an underwater video camera to investigate objects detected by the Two Fish system.
The two MH-60R helicopters aboard Sampson and one MH-60R aboard Fort Worth worked together and with Indonesian aircraft to conduct both day and night operations. In total, the U.S. Navy aircraft flew 226 hours and covered 22,000 square nautical miles.
Upon departure, Sampson will continue with her scheduled deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations and Fort Worth will return to Singapore for planned maintenance before continuing with her 16-month deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
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