Second Fleet Ships Conduct PASSEX with Japanese Counterparts

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

USS TRUXTUN, At Sea (NNS) -- Three Norfolk-based U.S. Navy ships participated in a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Japanese Navy off the east coast of Virginia, July 30.

USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Dallas (SSN 700) of Destroyer Squadron 22, rendezvoused with the Japanese destroyer Sawayuki (DD 125) and training vessels Kashima (TV 3508) and Yamagiri (TV 3515) during PASSEX, which featured personnel exchanges and allowed both nations' Sailors to get a better understanding of each other and train in multiwarfare areas.

"It's a great opportunity for both nations to see how another nation operates," said Commander, Destroyer Squadron 22 Capt. Jeffrey Wolstenholme. "It was great training for the Truxtun's officers, because as we prepare to go on deployment next year, they're going to do this more with other nations."

During the personnel exchange, one of Truxtun's junior officers was surprised to see how similar the Japanese conduct their routines aboard their ships.

"It was awesome to see how their bridge team operated during a fleet maneuvering exercise," said Lt. j.g. Edward McGuinnis. "They are great with management of their people through communication."

Sawauki, Kashima and Yamagiri are currently on an around-the-world deployment with their newest officers receiving hands-on training with other nations.

Ensign Yuichiro Maehara, a submarine officer in-training aboard Yamagiri, said it was his first time aboard a U.S. Navy warship.

"It is a beautiful ship," Maehara explained. "I'm loving the chance to see similar and different systems aboard an American ship."

According to Wolstenholme, the Japanese Navy's deployment into the Atlantic provided a rare opportunity to work with a partner nation that does not usually operate off the east coast of the United States.

"Most interactions between our services usually happen with the U.S. Navy's Pacific fleet, so it's a real treat to be able to have the Japanese ships off our own coast and have this interaction with our Atlantic fleet," said Wolstenholme.

USS Doyle, HMNLS Amsterdam Conduct Passing Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Patrick Grieco

USS DOYLE, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) and the Dutch Amsterdam-class fast combat support ship HMNLS Amsterdam (A 836) conducted a multi-event Passing Exercise (PASSEX) Aug. 28 as both ships were in vicinity of Willemstad, Curacao.

Events included small boat operations, a personnel cross deck, alongside approaches, connected replenishment at sea, Helicopter Deck landing Qualifications with Amsterdam's Lynx helicopter.

Doyle's Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Zuzich said multinational operations such as this, can only benefit Doyle's crew and the Navy as a whole.

"Anytime we have a chance to work with our partner nations it improves our confidence in each other and our interoperability," said Zuzich. "So when we conduct multinational operations or joint operations it is very seamless and we come together effectively. This operation was a perfect example of that."

As part of the operations, Amsterdam requested testing of their NATO fuel probe to ensure proper operation prior to the ship participating in upcoming PANAMAX 2009 exercise. Doyle was able to accommodate the request, and received over 2000 gallons of fuel from Amsterdam.

Deck department Sailors also had the unique opportunity of simulating a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) with the Amsterdam's helicopter.

These operations were important to Amsterdam in preparation to support the 12 multinational ships that will be operating in the Caribbean as part of PANAMAX 09.

After the CONREP, Zuzich also had the chance to spend a few hours aboard the Amsterdam and witness a first-hand view of life aboard a Dutch ship.

"It was very nice to be able to spend some time with the CO of their ship and talk about just how much we have in common. When we're able to work with our friends, like the Dutch, it can only bring us closer together, it helps us to operate together and improve upon our friendship." said Zuzich.

Sailors from the Amsterdam also had a chance to cross-deck to the Doyle. One Dutch sailor, from Amsterdam's Administration department, Able-body Seaman Deen Polman said this was his second time conducting a CONREP with an American ship, but his first time viewing it from the American ship.

"Normally I stay over there to help the guys, but this time I was here and it was very fun to watch," said Polman. "Multinational events such as the Passing Exercise and PANAMAX are a very good idea and concept. It can only benefit the world to work together as a team."

Doyle is on a six-month deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean as part of Southern Seas 2009 in support of U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the Americas Maritime 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 includes Doyle, USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and USS Ford (FFG 54), and is executed by DESRON 40 as CTG 40.0.

CSG9 Ships Participate in Singapore PASSEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs



USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft from Carrier Strike Group 9 and the Republic of Singapore Navy conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) while underway near Singapore, April 15.

Republic of Singapore Formidable-class guided missile frigate RSS Steadfast (FFG 70) conducted flight deck training with an SH-60B Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47 "Saberhawks."

The helicopter, flown by HSL-47's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Shawn Malone and copilot Lt. Christopher Moore, made several landings on the ship's flight deck, giving the crew of Steadfast the opportunity to practice helicopter recovery procedures including chocking and chaining (referred to as "lashing" by the Singapore Navy) and refueling evolutions.

"The Singapore Navy is increasing its capabilities and acquiring H-60 type helicopters and their pilots are training at NAS North Island (San Diego), so this is an opportunity to work together and for us to train with them for helicopter shipboard operations," Malone said. "It was a great exchange and it was a wonderful way to build those partnerships with the Singapore Navy."

Following the flight operations, Steadfast practiced coming alongside the fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) and conducted a simulated refueling-at-sea.

The evolution was observed from the air in an HSL-47 helicopter by Singapore Navy Capt. Kelvin Lim, a communications officer assigned to the RSS Formidable. Lim also spent time aboard USS Shoup (DDG 86) during the PASSEX and observed that there are many similarities and differences between the two ships.

"Our primary mission is air defense, like your ship, but we do things differently because we only have 70 people on board," said Lim.

He added that the most striking difference between Shoup and Steadfast was the makeup of the crews. "You can see the whole of America on your ship; there is so much diversity."

One similarity participants noted during the PASSEX was that Steadfast's design in many ways reflected the direction the U.S. Navy is moving with its own ship designs, Malone said.

"That ship to me represents something very similar to where we're moving with the littoral combat ship and some of the stealth technology that is being incorporated into our surface forces," Malone said. "That was the benefit for us -- to be able to operate with that type of modern warship."

USS Reagan Takes Part in PASSEX

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) guided missile destroyer JS Myoko (DDG 175) pulls alongside USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for a refueling at sea (RAS). Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG) took part in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the JMSDF in the Philippine Sea March 16-18. RRCSG and embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW) 14 are underway in support of operations in the western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call.