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Team Building In the Eastern Pacific

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030618-07

Release Date: 6/18/2003 5:00:00 PM

By Lt. Cmdr. Kim Dixon, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

ABOARD USS O'BANNON (NNS) -- Naval forces from four nations, including the United States, met in Antofagasta, Chile, June 12 to participate in Teamwork South 2003, a three-week multinational exercise hosted by the Chilean Navy and executed in Chilean territorial waters.

Nearly 3,500 Sailors and Airmen aboard 19 ships and 13 aircraft from Chile, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom are exercising in all warfare areas. The participants will also visit the ports of Coquimbo, Caldera Bay and Valparaiso over the course of the exercise. Exercise objectives include improved interoperability in surface, sub-surface and air operations, including logistics.

Representing the U.S. Navy are USS O'Bannon (DD 987), USS McInerney (FFG 8), both homeported in Mayport, Fla., and aircraft and crews from Patrol Squadrons (VP) 1, 47, and 92, based in Whidbey Island, Wash., Kanohe Bay, Hawaii, and Brunswick, Maine, respectively. Capt. Jack A. Federoff is the U.S. Navy Task Group commander and commander, Teamwork South's Orange Forces.

The exercise is under the overall coordination of Rear Adm. Jorge Huerta, commander-in-chief of the Chilean Surface Squadron. U.S. Navy forces participating in Teamwork South 2003 are under the operational command of Rear Adm. Vinson E. Smith, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command.