Underwood Sailors Play Soccer with Partner Nation Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Frank J. Pikul, Southern Seas 2012 Public Affairs

CALLAO, Peru (NNS) -- Sailors from Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood participated in a soccer match and barbecue with sailors from foreign navies during UNITAS Pacific (PAC) at Callao Naval Base, May 14.

The event was organized to bring sailors from the different navies together to interact with each other to build friendships and foster good will between them.

"We were here today to see what sailors from other navies are like and to develop a better relationship with these other navies through sports and food," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Kevin Wilson, assigned to Underwood.

Sailors from the United States, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico participated in the event.

"I like to hear about different places and where fellow sailors are from," said Armory Mate 2nd Class Allen Angulo, a Peruvian sailor. "I like the atmosphere surrounding this event. It gives us a chance to relax and get to know each other."

The day concluded with an awards ceremony with medals presented to the top two teams. The team representing Underwood won first place and received gold medals.

"It felt good to win, but more importantly I believe that soccer is a world sport that brings everyone together, no matter what kind of differences people have in other countries," said Wilson.

After the awards ceremony, the sailors enjoyed a barbecue of roast pig and had the opportunity to get to know one another.

"I felt like I made a difference in other sailors' lives by participating in this event, and it was an opportunity to exchange cultures with each other," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Stephen McGiverin. "I really think it helps relations with these countries."

Underwood is participating in UNITAS Pacific as part of Southern Seas 2012, an annual deployment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Chile Operates with US Naval Forces as part of Submarine Rescue Exercise CHILEMAR III

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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Karolina A. Martinez, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Chilean submariners from CS Carrera (SS 22) along with the U.S. Navy's Deep Submerging Unit (DSU), participated in exercise CHILEMAR III of the coast of Southern California Nov. 3.

CHILEMAR is an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Chile, which is designed to demonstrate interoperability between U.S. submarine rescue systems and Chilean submarines. The exercise also promotes greater understanding and cooperation between the U.S. and Chile.

"This exercise is important because you cannot serge friendship," said Rear Adm. Robert J. Kamensky, vice commander, Submarine Force. "You build that over time. Here's a demonstration of friendship being built so that whenever we have to exercise it, we already know each other. We can trust each other in that we'll be able to operate as a team."

A personal relationship between the U.S. commander of DSU and Chilean submarine commanders provide the genesis for CHILEMAR. Assigned together as classmates Chile's Naval War College, the commanders continued to engage beyond that duty assignment and convinced their respective higher headquarters that a bilateral rescue exercise served beyond both countries' interests. This highlight the importance of personal relationships gained during international programs.

The exercise included a practice rescue scenario in which DSU's pressurized rescue module (PRM), mated with Carrera for a transfer of personnel from the simulated distressed submarine to the rescue vessel.

"We actually went down and mated at 480 feet with the Chilean submarine Carrera," said Navy Diver 2nd Class Joe Olin, a PRM attendee assigned to DSU.

Once the hatch was opened and personnel climbed the ladder safely onto the submarine and up to the PRM, they exchanged gifts, greetings and even a few crewmembers were exchanged between the two nations, before resurfacing.

"We went down and met the captain and the crew," said Olin. "We shook hands and exchanged gifts with them and let them know that submarine rescue is real and that we can deploy all over the world within 72 hours and be on station and ready to do our jobs and provide a real rescue if needed."

CHILEMAR is also designed to prepare and train both nations to perform Submarine Escape and Rescue (SER) which is an international humanitarian aid discipline that requires cooperation across national and alliance boundaries.

"It was an excellent experience all around, not only because we got to see action and be part of it, but we got to watch the interaction between sailors from Chile and Sailors from the United States," said Kamensky, who was one of the personnel who rode in the PRM to witness the evolution. "Watching how they interact was extremely heartening to me as one of the leads in the submarine force because it speaks for how well our coalition can cooperate and make things happen. It was extremely rewarding."

USS Boone, USS Thach Conduct Exercises with Chilean Sub

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith

USS BOONE, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43) completed a series of exercises with Chilean navy submarine Carrera (SS-22), June 10.

During the four-day passing exercise (PASSEX), ships from both navies trained with each other in a series of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and surface warfare exercises to promote communications, interoperability and partnership.

"We typically hold a PASSEX when operating with ships of different nations for the purpose of training," said Sonar Technician (geographic) Chief (SW/AW) Dallas Brown. "The focus of this PASSEX was to provide excellent training opportunities in ASW for the sailors aboard Boone and Thach while providing surface warfare training for Chilean submariners."

The exercises included unit-level training in submarine familiarization, passive and active tracking, coordinated tracking exercises and coordinated tactical exercises.

"It was important for Boone to work with an asset, the Chilean sub, which we do not get to see often," said Ensign Loney Cason, Boone's antisubmarine warfare officer. "It was great to track a sub in real-time, which helps train sonar technicians, operational watch standers and lookouts."

This series of exercises also focused on coordination and effectiveness of tracking and hunting submarine threats.

"The primary goal during the PASSEX was to learn as much as possible from our Chilean counterparts," said Lt. John Hoy, Boone's combat systems officer.

Boone and Thach participated by leading the coordinated ASW exercises and alternately serving as the search and attack unit commander.

"One of our missions during Southern Seas 2011 is [to foster] theater security cooperation," said Hoy. "We are learning the fundamentals of how other navies function, and learning how to work with them in a tactical environment and beyond."

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

USS Thach Conducts Flight Operations with Chilean Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Stuart Phillips, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

USS THACH, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) conducted flight operations with a Chilean navy helicopter during the Southern Seas 2011 transit of the Strait of Magellan, May 28.

The flight operation was completed successfully as the Chilean pilots flying the Dauphin AS-365N2 landed safely aboard Thach to fly a Chilean officer home on emergency leave.

The officer was temporarily assigned to Thach to assist in the transit of the Strait of Magellan. The passage gave sailors from both nations an opportunity to learn about ship handling, confined navigation, and communication.

Thach and USS Boone (FFG 28) are conducting operations with the Chilean navy for six weeks, culminating in the Chilean hosted Pacific phase of UNITAS 2011.

"The Chilean officers' knowledge of the waterway is unparalleled," said Lt. Cmdr. Rob Speight, USS Boone executive officer. "The Strait of Magellan was a highlight of my career and working with these professional officers gave my crew an opportunity to learn from and appreciate the skills of other navies"

The flight operation illustrated the ability of Thach's crew and the Chilean navy to adapt to new situations while continuing to perform professionally.

"It made me feel good that the training our Sailors have received has been put to good use," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Tim Lovelady, USS Thach helicopter control officer. "The operation went like any other helicopter we would land."

Thach and Boone took eight Chilean navy sailors aboard for the transit from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Puerto Monnt, Chile. Thach also has a Chilean officer assigned as a member of the crew for one year.

"We had a need, and both navies put forth efforts to meet that need," said Chilean Lt. j.g. Pablo Berg, assigned to Thach. "The interoperation between our navies enabled us to achieve a common goal. Our navies have different ways of doing things, but we were able to minimize our differences, and we showed that we can operate together."

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. FOURTH Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.