The celebrated Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), affectionately known as “Big Bad John,” has successfully completed its Basic Phase Certification. This milestone marks the ship and its dedicated crew’s triumphant return to full operational readiness, following months of rigorous training and meticulous preparation.
After concluding essential maintenance in November 2019, the USS John S. McCain embarked on Basic Phase Training. Over the subsequent months, the crew engaged in intensive training both in port and at sea. Expert teams from Afloat Training Group (ATG) and the Center for Surface Combat Systems provided invaluable instruction and evaluation throughout this period.
Basic Phase Training and Certification is a crucial and comprehensive process for all U.S. Navy surface ships before they can be deployed for operational missions. The crew of “Big Bad John” underwent assessment in 23 distinct areas, showcasing their proficiency in critical skills such as seamanship, navigation, supply operations, engineering, electronic warfare, medical procedures, and damage control protocols. The training program systematically progressed from foundational knowledge to complex, integrated operations designed to mirror the challenges of real-world scenarios.
“McCain has recently finished a very long, successful path to returning to operations at sea,” stated Lt. Philip Cherry, training liaison officer for Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP). “In the process of completing Basic Phase, ATGWP was sent underway aboard McCain to evaluate the ship’s Final Battle Problem, a series of scenarios designed to introduce various levels of stress to the crew, integrating all of the different pieces that were certified over the last year into a cohesive environment to see how crew members perform under real-world conditions.”
Cmdr. Ryan T. Easterday, commanding officer of the USS John S. McCain, emphasized the significance of the Final Battle Problem as a crucial test for his crew. “For the last 25 weeks, we’ve been training and certifying in all of the different warfare areas, one after another, and focusing on one thing at a time,” Cmdr. Easterday explained. “In the Final Battle Problem, we raise our training to the next level by taking all of those warfare areas and integrate them into a series of complex scenarios where we’re doing everything at once.”
Damage Controlman Fireman Apprentice Gabriel Garcia highlighted the practical value of the demanding drills. “They tried to throw everything at us during the Final Battle Problem,” Garcia noted. ”But the more we ran the drills, the more comfortable I became with my role on the hose team.”
With Basic Phase Certification now complete, “Big Bad John” is primed to rejoin the operational forces of the 7th Fleet. The USS John S. McCain is scheduled to operate alongside allies and partners, reinforcing maritime security and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The ship’s company recognizes the vital contributions of numerous organizations that supported their journey back to operational status.
Cmdr. Easterday expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the support from U.S. 7th Fleet, Naval Surface Forces Pacific, ATG, Center for Surface Combat Systems, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, the ship’s host nation of Japan, and the unwavering support of the crew’s families and friends in Yokosuka and across the globe. “Each played an integral part in getting us to where we are today,” Cmdr. Easterday concluded. “Big Bad John is back and we’re ready to take the watch.”
