U.S. Navy patrol coastal ships and U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats conducted an annual test of the MK-60 Griffin guided-missile system in the Persian Gulf Dec. 10-14.
The annual exercise was conducted with the improved Griffin Missile System (GMS) to test ship interoperability, weapon tactics employment, and new system upgrades. “This system improves combat capability on our 10 Patrol Craft, ready to work with regional partners and respond to threats; able to maneuver and strike from a distance,” said Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S 5th Fleet.
Exercise participates included Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) patrol coastal ships USS Sirocco (PC 6), USS Tempest (PC 2), USS Squall (PC 7), USS Hurricane (PC 3), USS Whirlwind (PC 11) and island class patrol boats USCGC Adak (WPB-1333), USCGC Aquidneck (WPB-1309), and USCGC Baranof (WPB-1318). The ships also conducted live fire exercises with their Mark 38 25mm machine guns and other crew served weapons to maintain operator proficiency and test new equipment upgrades for future missions. “This exercise addresses a validated requirement to out-pace and decisively defeat small boat threats at a distance,” said Vice Adm. Malloy. “We can hold any attacker at risk by employing speed combined with accurate striking power,” said Vice Adm. Malloy.
