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U.S. Naval Forces Conduct Back-to-back Multinational Exercises in Eastern Pacific

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030731-17

Release Date: 8/1/2003 2:40:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Ligia Cohen, Commander, U.S. Naval Southern Command Public Affairs

ABOARD USS STUMP, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Stump (DD 978) and USS McInerney (FFG 8) recently completed two major exercises in support of Commander, U.S. Southern Command's Theater Security Strategy. Stump and McInerney participated first in UNITAS 44-03 Pacific Phase in the seas off of the Ecuadorian coast, followed immediately by their participation in PANAMAX 2003, the first multinational, joint exercise designed as a response to potential sea-borne threats to the Panama Canal.

During UNITAS, Stump served as flagship for Rear Adm. Vinson Smith, Commander Task Force 138, the multinational task force of the Americas. Task Force 138 included Navy and Coast Guard units from Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and the United States, as well as observers from Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico.

Commodore James Martin, Commander Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 6, also embarked in Stump, served as Commander of the U.S. Task Group, which included the frigate USS McInerney, and aircraft from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 and 48, and from patrol squadron (VP) 5.

A fast paced exercise, UNITAS is conducted throughout the year in a series of regional phases, which promote interoperability and coalition building. All warfare areas are stressed with exercise events designed to mirror the training of a Combined Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), enabling U.S. units to maintain or improve warfighting readiness levels.

"What I've learned from UNITAS is that it is in our best interest to train with foreign navies. They're hard-working and fast-paced at the tasks at hand," said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Caleb Smith, a Stump Sailor. "Our allies might be people that we don't understand, so this training helps us to overcome communication's barriers."

Serving as host of this year's Pacific phase, the Ecuadorian Armada assembled an international planning staff and dedicated a year's effort towards building a challenging schedule of events, culminating in an intensive final battle problem.

"Tracking the Ecuadorian 209 submarine was the most challenging part of UNITAS," said Sonar Technician 1st Class (SW) Jason Adams, sonar supervisor aboard McInerney. "You can never get too much training, and when it comes to diesel submarines, this is one of a kind."

As UNITAS Pacific phase concluded, DESRON 6 staff, augmented with officers from Panama and Chile, turned to the crisis-planning phase of PANAMAX 03. The scenario-based exercise involved the detection, identification, monitoring and interdiction of a commercial vessel suspected of posing a threat to the Panama Canal.

"It makes sense for our three countries to work together to protect the Canal: The United States is the first user of the Canal, and Chile is the premier South American user - fourth in the world. And Panama, well, we are the owners," said the Jose Isaza, director general of Panama's National Maritime Service.

McInerney, Stump, two Chilean ships, and five patrol boats from Panama comprised the surface force working in conjunction with E-2C aircraft from Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 77, and P-3C Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 and Chilean Patrol Squadron 1.

"The E-2C is the premier command and control aircraft. We can provide a surface picture out to a 200-mile radius," said Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Heyne, E-2C naval flight officer. "We pass the contact information to the P-3s and to the ships."

With the information collected by the aircraft, the surface units rapidly maneuvered to close in and prepared to interdict the suspected vessel. After the multinational staff evaluated the intelligence information, it concluded "it was highly probable" that the vessel intended to carry out an attack against the Panama Canal and directed the coalition task force to board the vessel.

"We were responding to no-notice situations," said Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Baasch, Chilean naval liaison officer. "Our plan had to be flexible - that was crucial to the realism of the exercise."

The high intensity Maritime Interception Operation exercise included participation by both U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) battle staffs. After the target vessel was located, an element of Naval Special Warfare Unit (NSWU) 4 and Visit, Boarding, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams from all participating ships took turns in boarding and searching the vessel. The exercise culminated with a Chilean prize crew sailing the vessel to Panama, where it was turned over to Panamanian authorities.

"Exercising our combined capabilities in the area of Maritime Interception Operations was the primary aspect of the exercise's overall objectives," said Lt. Cmdr. Paul Bahrs, USNAVSO exercise director.

Whether improving interoperability through UNITAS or advancing hemispheric security cooperation through PANAMAX, the naval forces deployed to the USNAVSO area of responsibility are constantly working to support U.S. policy in the region.