GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691) returned to her homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London June 24 following a successful short deployment to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility.
While deployed, Memphis participated in the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 2010 and Exercise Naiad.
UNITAS is the longest running multinational naval exercise which brings together the maritime forces of the Western Hemisphere to enhance security, improve interoperability, expand maritime domain awareness and counter maritime activities that could threaten region stability.
Memphis's role was to conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and maritime domain operations. According to the crew, the most challenging assignment was finding and simulating an attack on two diesel submarines from Argentina and Brazil.
"These diesel boats are quiet and professionally operated," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Geddes, Memphis executive officer. "They are very challenging opponents."
During the exercise, Memphis hosted Lt. j.g. Francisco Oleiro, an Argentinean submariner as an exchange officer. This visit allowed Oleiro to observe operations aboard a U.S. submarine, while giving Memphis' crew an opportunity to get a firsthand account of diesel submarine life.
Oleiro described his visit as very great and very different.
"[It was] an event I will remember for the rest of my life," he added.
Memphis then traveled to Brazil for a port visit in Rio de Janeiro where the crew participated in briefings, tours of training facilities, and a barbecue hosted by the Brazilian navy.
During Exercise Naiad, a tactical development exercise where Memphis went head-to-head with Brazilian navy Submarine Tamoio (S-31) in a series of challenging events, Memphis again exchanged officers.
Lt. Cmdr. Christian Hingst, the Brazilian submarine force assistant operations officer, came aboard to observe.
"I've been reading about Los Angeles-class submarines in Tom Clancy books all my life," Hingst said. "Going to sea on Memphis is like seeing the Rolling Stones."