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.

U.S, South American Navies Train and Prepare while in Rio de Janeiro

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (NNS) -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with their South American partners, prepared for the second half of the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 52 May 1, while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from guided-missile destroyer Nitze (DDG 94), guided-missile frigates USS Thach (FFG 43) and USS Boone (FFG 28), and USCGC cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907), attended various training and preplanning briefs in preparation of the second half of UNITAS, alongside their Brazilian, Mexican and Argentinian counterparts.

"These sessions allowed the team the opportunity to clearly understand the exercise design and answer any safety questions related to the complex events ahead," said Capt. Marc Weeks, commander, Task Group 138.0. "It also allows participants to cover any shortfalls or concerns about the exercise before the ships return to sea."

In addition to the training sessions, each country hosted a reception during which their respective navies were able to showcase their ships, crews and customs in a social environment.

"These events were the highlight of our stay in Rio de Janeiro," said Weeks. "The receptions enabled the re-establishment of old friendships, the development of new individual friendships, and it was a venue for each participating Navy to showcase their individual honors, customs and traditions."

Sailors also gathered for a day of soccer, tug-of-war and other friendly competitions during a sporting events day.

The six-day stop in Rio de Janeiro marked the midway point of the three-week exercise, which runs April 15-May 9.

The ships will spend seven days at sea for the final portion of the exercise. The Atlantic phase will end with a community relations project, wreath laying memorial ceremony and closing ceremony, in Rio Grande, Brazil.

UNITAS, Latin for "unity," is a combined South American and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise series. Active participants for UNITAS 52 include Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Chile.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and 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.

UNITAS 52 Sets Sail to Strengthen Security Cooperation

By Lt.j.g. Matthew Comer, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs

SALVADOR, Brazil (NNS) -- Three U.S. Navy ships, one U.S. Coast Guard cutter, four Brazilian navy ships and one Mexican navy ship departed Salvador, Brazil for the first sea phase of UNITAS Atlantic 52, April 19 and 20.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 98), frigates USS Boone (FFG 28) and USS Thach (FFG 43), and USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) will work with a total of six ships, two submarines and nine aircraft from the Brazilian and Mexican navies.

UNITAS, Latin for "unity," is an annual SOUTHCOM-sponsored, multinational naval exercise to enhance security cooperation and improve coalition operations.

At-sea participants for UNITAS LANT 52 phase one include Brazil, the United States, and Mexico.

Prior to departing, the naval group completed an initial planning conference which allowed the captains and crews of all vessels to discuss the upcoming events and become familiar with each other before getting underway.

"The participating ships came together for pre-sail information sharing, in order to exchange exercise specifics, discuss safety of operations, and to answer any questions prior to commencing the at-sea portion of the exercise," said Capt. Marc Weeks, Task Group 138.0 commander.

During their time in port, task group commanders met to discuss the upcoming week which will focus on maritime surface, air and submarine defense. Navies will spend the next week developing seamanship and maneuvering capabilities through maritime interdiction operations, replenishment at sea, and various aircraft and submarine exercises.

"UNITAS is designed to foster trust and develop international partnerships via the common language of naval mariners," said Weeks.

The participants spent time getting to know each other both as mariners and as individuals. Vice Adm. Carlos Autran, Brazil's Second Naval District commander, hosted a reception for the staff and officers participating in UNITAS at Fort San Antonio. The reception featured food and music from the region and exposed partners to the local culture.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and U.S. 4th Fleet (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 Boone Begins Southern Seas 2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Stuart Phillips, USS Boone Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Boone (FFG 28) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 Det. 4, departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., April 1, to conduct Southern Seas 2011.

Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and carried out by Combined Task Group 40.0 (CTG 40.0).

Southern Seas involves the deployment of CTG 40.0, USS Thach (FFG 43), USS Boone (FFG 28), and HSL 44 detachment 4, which will sail the waters from the East Coast of the United States to the Caribbean, Central and South America from April through September 2011.

"We're scheduled to visit countries like Brazil, which is hosting the Atlantic phase of UNITAS," said Cmdr. Roy Love, Boone's commanding officer. "Chile is hosting the Pacific phase of UNITAS and of course Panama is hosting PANAMAX."

UNITAS, which means "unity" in Latin, is the U.S. Navy`s longest-running annual multilateral exercise, building ties with partner nation navies since 1960.

Supporting USSOUTHCOM objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of responsibility, Southern Seas 2011 concentrates on strengthening relationships with regional partner nations and improving operational readiness for all assigned units. In addition, Southern Seas provides the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability and demonstrate flexibility.

"It's extremely important for us to strengthen relationships in these regions," said Love. "Part of the mission for U.S. 4th Fleet is to conduct theatre security cooperation exercises. This will be important, not just to protect the U.S. from terrorists who may try to come up through South America, but also in terms of drug-interdiction and the prevention of human trafficking. What we're doing is working to solidify ties and build cooperation with South and Central American countries."

"This is about building a partnership of education between us and these countries we'll be visiting," said USS Boone Command Master Chief Charles David Slaton. "We'll teach them a lot and we hope to learn a lot from them."

Love anticipates Boone's crew will benefit from this deployment not only in terms of training, but culturally as well.

"For the crew this is going to be a great experience," said Love. "Many of them have never been outside of the U.S. This will be a great learning experience, and it's going to increase their cultural understanding of other nations."

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.