Mayport-based Frigate Departs on Final Deployment for Southern Seas 2012

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Underwood (FFG 36) departed on its final deployment in support of Southern Seas 2012, April 23.

The deployment will begin by participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) with the Eisenhower Strike Group as part of their pre-deployment training. The ship and crew will then deploy to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) May 2 to conduct Southern Seas 2012. Southern Seas will include the multinational exercises UNITAS Pacific (UNITAS PAC), Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX) and UNITAS Atlantic (UNITAS LANT).

"Underwood completed our final basic phase training back in February and we've been working for well over a year in preparation for Southern Seas 2012. As we head out the door we'll finish our integrated phase training with Eisenhower Strike Group COMTUEX, which will be our certifying event allowing us to move out on deployment to Fourth Fleet," Cmdr. Peter T. Mirisola, commanding officer, USS Underwood (FFG 36) said.

Underwood will also support Operation Martillo, a joint, interagency and multi-national collaborative mission among Western Hemisphere and European nations to deny Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) air and maritime access to the littoral regions of the Central American isthmus. Operation Martillo targets narcotics, precursor chemicals, bulk cash, weapons and humans being transported via maritime and air domains.

Southern Seas is an annual collaborative deployment to conduct a variety of exercises, missions and multinational subject matter expert exchanges. The focus is on enhancing interoperability, increase regional stability, and building and maintaining regional relationships with countries throughout the hemisphere through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

"It is going to be quite a privilege and an honor to go down there. I know the crew's excited. We're going to have a lot of great visits. We're looking forward to the multi-national engagement with our Central and South American and Caribbean nation hosts," Mirisola said.

Formally known as the Partnership of the Americas, Southern Seas gives a distinct name to one of the United States' marquee deployments. This is the seventh such deployment and falls under U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) Partnership of the Americas initiative.

"There's no better way for Underwood to deploy than to support Southern Seas and UNITAS. This is the United States' longest standing annual exercise and the crown jewel of naval exercises for the U.S. Navy. There's no better way to end the ship's service life than to finish with UNITAS deployment," said Mirisola.

Underwood will return to Mayport in November 2012 and be decommissioned in March 2013. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate was commissioned January 29, 1983 and conducted her maiden deployment in 1985. Underwood participated in numerous counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea in her 29 years of service to the fleet.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Underwood and her crew deployed immediately to the island and provided critical medical assistance in support of Operation Unified Response.

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.

USS Klakring Begins Southern Seas 2010 Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Michael J. Scott, USS Klakring (FFG 42) Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 Detachment (Det) 10 departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., April 5 to conduct Southern Seas 2010.

Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) and carried out by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40 (CDS 40).

It involves the deployment of CDS 40, Klakring and HSL 42 Det 10, which will sail the waters from the East Coast of the United States to the Caribbean, Central and South America from April through September 2010.

"Klakring and HSL 42 Det 10 Sailors, Team 42 as we describe ourselves, are looking forward to the many opportunities both at sea and ashore that we will enjoy with our partners throughout the region," said Cmdr. Scott M. Smith, Klakring's commanding officer. "This deployment is a first for most of us and will serve to enhance the sense of adventure we all feel when we set to sea."

Supporting USSOUTHCOM objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of responsibility, Southern Seas 2010 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.

"Klakring will serve as a visible reminder of the United States' commitment to the Caribbean and South American countries," said Smith. "The partnerships that we enjoy within the Western Hemisphere are sustained and enhanced through these deployments by Sailors engaging with other navies and communities throughout the region. The by-product of this is a greater understanding of our partners and an opportunity to learn from them."

Smith said the success of this mission depends on the Sailors and presents a chance to not only showcase our country's finest, but also gain valuable knowledge from our friends.

"The Sailors in Klakring are the best our nation has to offer. I want every country to see that in the faces of these young men and women," Smith said. "I also want to learn from our partners. If there are five lessons that improve our readiness, our ability to better the lives of our Sailors or gain a better appreciation of other cultures, then Southern Seas 2010 will have been successful."

Formally known as the Partnership of the Americas deployment, Southern Seas gives a distinct name to one of COMUSNAVSO's deployments.

COMUSNAVSO is the naval component command for USSOUTHCOM and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility. COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the Maritime Strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations and counter-illicit trafficking operations.

Vinson to Arrive After Unified Response, Refueling

The guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7), and the Peru navy frigate BAP Carvajal (FM 51) break away from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) after completing tactical maneuvering exercises. Carl Vinson is supporting Southern Seas 2010, a U.S. Southern Command-directed operation that provides U.S. and international forces the opportunity to operate in a multi-national environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Van Dien/Released)

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its 3,500 crew members expect to arrive at their new homeport at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) April 12.

Carl Vinson departed Norfolk, Va., Jan. 12 and participated in Operation Southern Seas 2010, a U.S. Southern Command Partnership of the Americas operation, which provided U.S. and international forces the opportunity to operate in a multinational environment.

During the transit, the Carl Vinson conducted several engagements and exercises with regional partner nations including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico. Vinson also conducted air wing at-sea exercises with Brazil, Argentina and Peru. The crew enjoyed port visits in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Lima, Peru.

Prior to Operation Southern Seas, Carl Vinson led initial U.S. Navy efforts in Operation Unified Response, an interagency humanitarian aid and disaster relief effort to Haiti following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake. The carrier and its embarked helicopters delivered almost 3 million lbs of cargo ashore. Specifically, the ship delivered 1,095,442 lbs of food; 147,591 gallons of water; and over 40,000 pounds of medical supplies. The ship's medical team treated 60 patients, while the air wing flew 1,299 sorties and conducted 1,152 medical evacuations.

The Navy took re-delivery of USS Carl Vinson in July 2009, following the successful completion of its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) in Newport News, Va. Vinson began its RCOH in November 2005, during which more than 20 million man-hours of work were conducted, divided between refueling the propulsion plant, upgrading ship's infrastructure to last another 25 years, and modernizing combat systems and their effectiveness.

In October 2009, the Navy announced that Carl Vinson would be the flagship of the newly established Carrier Strike Group 1, based in San Diego and commanded by Rear Adm. Ted Branch.

Also aboard the aircraft carrier are elements from Carrier Air Wing 17 including the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15, the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron 81, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 and the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125. San Diego-based Destroyer Squadron 1 embarked aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), escorted the carrier around South America and participated in Haiti relief efforts.

Carl Vinson Makes Port Call in Rio de Janeiro

The guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) takes on fuel from the Nimitz-class carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an underway replenishment near South America. Both ships are participating in Operation Southern Seas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joel Carlson/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class(SW/AW) Jason Thompson, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

RIO DE JANERIO, Brazil (NNS) -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived in Rio de Janeiro Feb. 26 as part of Southern Seas 2010, a component of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Partnership of the Americas.

"South America is a hugely important part of the world and so it's very important that our Navy understand and appreciate the relationships, cultures and capabilities of our partner navies," said Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. "So this gives us a great opportunity as a Navy to foster those relationships, improve our understanding and our cooperation and interoperability with partner navies in the region."

Carl Vinson's arrival follows a recent visit by Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Rear Adm. Victor Guillory during which he expressed appreciation for the outstanding support provided by the Brazilian Navy to the U.S. during its training periods and regional exercises. Branch went on to say these interactions only reinforce South American partnerships.

"When you visit other countries and you talk to the people, you interact with other people and places, my experience is you always come away with a real appreciation, a more in-depth knowledge of their culture and their identity, and there's always a greater a degree of understanding," said Branch. "That mutual understanding and respect gained through port visits and theater-security cooperation and interaction like that are always valuable to the whole world because it promotes understanding and fosters good relationships."

After more than three weeks at sea, the port call is the first occasion for Carl Vinson's crew to interact with locals and experience genuine South American culture.

"The crew has performed admirably," said Carl Vinson Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey. "After their swift and remarkable response to Haiti and a brief visit in Mayport, Fla., this chance to experience Brazilian culture is exciting. The crew is taking advantage of our MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) tours and is looking forward to the interaction."

Also making the port call is USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 1 and air wing components from CVW 17, VFA 81, VAW 125, VRC 40, and HS 15, which are all currently assigned to CSG 1.

Nearly all of the tours offered by the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department sold out three days prior to the port visit.

Carl Vinson will continue with Southern Seas 2010 and meet with more South American military and civilian representatives and take advantage of unique port calls as part of a scheduled homeport shift.

Kauffman Completes Southern Seas 2009 Deployment, Returns Home

The guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) is underway with, from left, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Thetis (WMEC 910), the Chilean Navy frigate Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15), and the Brazilian Navy frigate BNS Constituicao (F42) during UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world. Naval units from the U.S. are participating in several realistic tactical training scenarios with maritime forces from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay off the coast of Florida April 20-May 5. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ron Kuzlik/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brandon Shelander, Southern Seas Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) completed a four-month Southern Seas 2009 deployment to Latin America Aug. 5.

"The requirements for this deployment varied greatly. From multinational exercises that stressed anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and maritime interdiction operation (MIO) capabilities, to theater security port visits and receptions, this deployment demanded a diverse set of skills from the Kauffman crew," said Cmdr. Dale W. Maxey, Kauffman's commanding officer.

Kauffman participated in UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the UNITAS exercise, during the first part of the deployment, then moved on to Colombia where ships from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States participated in Operacion Multinacional Alianza, a post-UNITAS Gold naval exercise hosted by Colombia.

"Through these operations, we continue to get better at our ability to communicate and coordinate security operations," said Maxey. "I was particularly pleased with our interoperability with our partner nations during the multinational exercises."

Kauffman then participated in a bilateral exercise with Peru. For several days, the units conducted integrated ASW exercises off the coast of Lima, Peru.

Kauffman also participated in Team Work South (TWS) 2009 with participants from Brazil, Chile, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. TWS 2009, hosted by the Chilean Navy, is a multinational exercise that includes surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, maritime interdiction operations, littoral operations and anti-piracy events. The exercise is focused on creating a multinational task group that operates together in a multi-threat environment.

Every port visit included military-to-military subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and community relations (COMREL) projects as well as deliveries of Project Handclasp items. Project Handclasp is a collection of donated items which include medical and hygiene supplies delivered around the world by the U.S. military.

"This is all part of a dual humanitarian aid project," said Lt. Cmdr Jose Molina, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 chaplain, who was the lead organizer for the events. "The first part is where we go to a school or a designated area within the community and do light repairs. The other part is Project Handclasp donations. What we're doing here is all about being partners and helping each other out. It's a great experience, not only for me, but for our Sailors to come ashore, roll up their sleeves and lend a hand."

Kauffman completed the four-month Southern Seas 2009 deployment in support of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s Partnership of the Americas strategy.

Southern Seas focuses on working with partner nations in the region conducting exercises, military-to-military engagements and theater security cooperation engagements to enhance interoperability. This year's deployment included Kauffman, USS Doyle (FFG 39), USS Ford (FFG 54). Doyle is scheduled to continue the deployment for two more months. Southern Seas is executed by DESRON 40 as Commander, Task Group 40.0.

Exercise Southern Seas Underway

A surfaced Peruvian submarine is underway with the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) during a multi-national group sail involving the Peruvian and U.S. navies. Kauffman is deployed with Southern Seas 2009, part of the U.S. Southern Command-led Partnership of the Americas mission focusing on strengthening relationship in the Southern Command area of Focus. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Grieco/Released)