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.

Klakring Actively Engaged in Loyal Mariner 09

By Ensign Peter Goodman, USS Klakring Public Affairs

USS KLAKRING, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42), currently assigned to Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, is fully engaged in conducting maritime warfare scenarios as part of NATO's Loyal Mariner (LM) 09 exercise series.

The exercise, which began March 2, has given participating NATO allies the opportunity to strengthen both their interoperability with other navies and each ship's own tactical warfighting skills.

In the waters off the coast of Sardinia, Klakring, along with approximately 28 surface ships, 20 aircraft, and two submarines are conducting real-time surface, air and undersea warfare as well as maritime interdiction operations as part of NATO's robust training scenarios.

"U.S. participation in these exercises reiterates our commitment to our enduring partners throughout Europe who have been and continue to be strong allies," remarked Klakring Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott M. Smith.

With several days still left in the exercise, Klakring is hoping to gain additional opportunities to flex its command and control systems to prepare for future engagements with NATO ships.

Klakring has been operating with the German ship FGS Emden and the Portuguese ship NRP Alvares Cabral prior to beginning LM 09.

"The NATO alliance is nearing 60 years of providing peace and stability; those aboard Klakring have fathers and grandfathers that have served under that same flag," Smith added.

Klakring and fellow NATO ships continue to build upon that robust heritage every day while operating to promote peace and stability.

Klakring is currently on a scheduled six-month deployment and is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14.

Klakring Teams with French Navy in FANAL 09

US Navy Photo

By Ensign Peter Goodman, USS Klakring Public Affairs

USS KLAKRING, At Sea (NNS) -- While assigned to Commander, Standing Maritime NATO Group (SNMG) 1, USS Klakring (FFG 42) helped prepare the Charles de Gaulle Strike Group (CDGSG) Feb. 24 for her upcoming deployment.

SNMG-1 ships consisting of FGS Emden, NRP Alvares Cabral, and Klakring served as the opposing force while participating in the FANAL 09 exercise.

The CDGSG, comprised of two destroyers, the oiler, FS Meuse, and anchored by the French nuclear aircraft carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle, are in the midst of completing a final multi-warfare training exercise before a scheduled deployment.

The exercise provided Klakring the unique opportunities to conduct maritime interoperability operations with not only other allied navies, but to do so while gaining tactical warfighting experience in a more complex and dynamic maritime environment than she does so regularly.

"As OPFOR, we had the unique opportunity to develop our own strategies to best conduct harassment training scenarios as part of our simulated attacks against the CDGSG," remarked Lt. Michael Beaty, Klakring Combat System's officer. "The exercise has certainly helped strengthen Klakring's own tactical warfighting capabilities."

The performance of the SNMG-1 assets directly helped to sharpen the coordination, communication, and warfare employment skills of the strike group warships and battle staffs.

Klakring's participation in FANAL 09 helps execute the United States' Maritime Strategy as well by both strengthening relations with allied navies and enhancing Allied ability to maintain maritime superiority. "Our ability to work as a team against a superior force and achieve commendable results demonstrates the seamless interoperability that we share with our NATO allies – a vital component in providing global maritime security and preventing conflict. It is exercises like these that strengthen regional maritime partnerships."

Klakring is on a scheduled six month deployment. She is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported in Mayport, Fla.

USS Klakring Joins Standing NATO Maritime Group

US Navy File Photo.

By Ensign Peter Goodman, USS Klakring Public Affairs

LISBON, Portugal (NNS) -- USS Klakring (FFG 42) joins the task group of ships comprising Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 after departing Lisbon, Portugual Feb. 16. Klakring is conducting maritime interoperability operations with allied navies after a visit to Lisbon.

Commanded by her new commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott M. Smith, Klakring sailed across the Atlantic reporting to 6th Fleet as the newest U.S. warship assigned to Commander, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. (CSNMG 1).

The force, a composition of NATO allied warships, fills an integral role in maintaining allied maritime situational awareness in the region. Along with Klakring, German warship FGS Emden (F 210) and Portuguese warship NRP Alvares Cabral (F 331) comprise the task group of ships assigned to CSNMG-1.

SNMG-1 provides the Maritime Component Command of the NATO Response Force a high readiness element able to support various NATO missions, exercises, presence operations, and diplomacy visits. In her role as an asset to SNMG-1, Klakring brings surface, submarine, maritime interdiction, and air warfare mission capabilities.

Klakring, Emden, and Alvares Cabral conducted a recent port visit to Lisbon, where the establishment of the current force was celebrated during a reception held aboard Emden honoring Rear Adm. Pereira de Cunha, Portuguese Navy, CSNMG-1. The event provided Klakring Sailors the opportunity to engage their counterparts from other ships.

In particular, the event afforded Smith the opportunity to both share experiences with foreign counterparts.

"All the COs know that the key to enhancing the coalition and achieving the common interests in the maritime domain is to increase both interoperability and greater understanding. It is the personal relationships that are forged during these events that will ultimately forge the strongest coalitions," remarked Smith.

The port visit provided Klakring's crew an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of Lisbon as well, a city which is famed for being the Gateway to Europe for ships traveling from the Americas.

For Chief Electrician's Mate (SW) Johnny Hill, the visit also provided the opportunity to see the beauty of the Portuguese countryside during a host nation sponsored trip to visit such historic landmarks as the Cathedral at Fatima and the Tomb of Henry the Navigator.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the culture and experience places I had only heard about, commented Hill, "I definitely appreciate the work Portugal did in organizing the tour for us."

Klakring is on a scheduled six month deployment. She is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported in Mayport, Fla.