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.

Multinational Exercise Focused on Multi-Mission Capabilities

The sun rises on a new day for the crew of the guided missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) as she sails through the Pacific Ocean. Doyle is on a six-month deployment to Latin America and the Carribean as part of Southern Seas 2009 in support of U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the Americas strategy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Grieco/Released)

By Ensign Kassandra Richardt, USS Doyle Public Affairs

IQUIQUE, Chile (NNS) -- USS Doyle (FFG 39) hosted a closing ceremony to commemorate the end of a two-week Team Work South (TWS) 2009 exercise July 8.

Exercise participants from Brazil, Chile, France, the United Kingdom and the United States were in attendance at the ceremony.

TWS 2009 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.

"During this exercise, you realized what a group effort many of the warfare exercises are. I was able to see different tactics thanks to participating with other navies and observed warfare from a different viewpoint," said Ensign Tasha Bernhardt, Doyle's assistant operations officer.

French Midshipman Lucille Gaultier was aboard Doyle during the exercise.

"It was a long week, but the experience was incredible. I saw everything from a different perspective. There were many differences between the French and U.S. Navy. I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this," said Gaultier.

TWS 2009 enhanced friendly relationships and mutual cooperation among participating Navies.

TWS 2009 is part of the Southern Seas deployment being conducted by Task Group 40.0. The task group, commanded by Destroyer Squadron 40, consists of Doyle, USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and USS Ford (FFG 54) with embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 43 Detachment 4.

Southern Seas is part of U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the America's strategy and focuses on conducting exercises to enhance relationships with partner nations in the region.

USS Doyle Gets Underway for Southern Seas Deployment to Latin America

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) departed Naval Station Mayport May 7 to being the Southern Seas deployment to Latin America.

"It's bittersweet considering I had to leave my husband, family and friends along with all of the comforts of home, but considering it's my first deployment, I'm really excited that we are going out to finally do what we are supposed to do," said Ensign Heather Golightly, Doyle's force protection officer.

The 2009 Southern Seas deployment supports U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s Partnership of the Americas strategy, which emphasizes interoperability, regional stability, and building regional partnerships throughout the SOUTHCOM Area of Focus. That area encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters, where Southern Seas 2009 is scheduled to be a six-month deployment conducted from April to October.

Southern Seas will consist of three phases: UNITAS Gold; exercise Southern Seas; PANAMAX; and routine theater security cooperation events.

Before leaving Mayport, Doyle participated in UNITAS Gold, the 50th iteration of the annual multinational partnership building exercise, April 20-May 5. Doyle worked alongside maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.

During Southern Seas, u.S. and partner nations will conduct training on anti-submarine, anti-ship, and anti-air warfare techniques. Doyle will work with allied navies to practice multi-ship maneuvering exercises, helicopter operations, personnel exchanges, and various other interoperability and cooperation fostering exercises and countering of unconventional threats such as counter-illicit trafficking, piracy, and fishery violations.

In addition to participating in multinational maritime exercises UNITAS, PANAMAX 2009, and the Southern Seas exercises, Doyle will be stopping in various ports throughout Latin America. Visits to Honduras, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Curacao and Trinidad Tobago, will allow Doyle's crew to learn first-hand about other countries' cultures, and historic backgrounds. Doyle will take part in continued training, as well as host receptions and personnel exchanges to facilitate the learning and friendship.

"I'm excited to see South America and go to places that I've never seen or been to before," said Sonar Technician Surface 3rd Class James Callahan, a Sailor aboard Doyle. "I will get to go where none of my friends or family have been. I'm going to take a lot of pictures to take the great memories with me."

Doyle's crew will also participate in community relations events in each port. During the events, Doyle plans to provide humanitarian assistance to the host countries by supplying pallets of materials from Project Handclasp consisting of hygiene and medical products, school supplies, clothing and toys.

During the deployment, Doyle will contribute to the overall goal to train side-by-side with the U.S. Navy's partner nations to learn from each other, by working together to overcome each country's maritime challenges.

The 2009 Southern Seas deployment is executed by Destroyer Squadron 40 as Commander, Task Group 40.0, consisting of Doyle, USS Kauffman (FFG 59), and USS Ford (FFG 54).