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Task Group 40.0 Departs Iquique After Completing

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070617-06
Release Date: 6/17/2007 5:27:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Alexia M. Riveracorrea, USS Pearl Harbor Public Affairs

IQUIQUE, Chile (NNS) -- Team Work South concluded in Iquique on June 12 with a port visit by ships from Task Group 40.0, deployed for Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007.

Teamwork South, a Chilean biannual exercise designed to enhance interoperability between participating nations, was held from May 30 through June 12, with navies from Argentina, Chile, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“I am absolutely satisfied with the execution and professionalism of this ship’s crew and impressed by the navies we trained with,” said USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Victor Cooper. “The opportunity to operate along with ships from partner nations helped us to get a better understanding of how other navies operate, and we are better Sailors after this experience.”

The ships that composed the multinational task group for Team Work South participated in various exercises while underway such as live weapons firing training, seamanship maneuvers, and flight operations. A Chilean SH-32 Cougar helicopter, a key asset in this multinational force, landed on Pearl Harbor’s flight deck, which gave the crew more experience in safe aircraft operations.

One of the training exercises highlighted during Team Work South 2007 was when a Chilean Navy Special Forces detachment and a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team boarded Pearl Harbor.

Chilean special forces fast-roped to Pearl Harbor’s flight deck, and conducted a search that led to the ship’s bridge while a Chilean SH-32 helicopter provided sniper cover. Once the bridge was secured, Chilean VBSS team members boarded Pearl Harbor and proceeded to join the special forces on the bridge.

“The Chilean Navy was impressive. They secured the bridge efficiently and were focused on safety and proper procedures,” said Pearl Harbor’s Boarding Officer, Ensign Dustin Walker.

U.S. Sailors also boarded Chilean Frigate Almirante Condell (PFG 06) to conduct VBSS training that included a search of the ship’s spaces.

“The Almirante Condell did an excellent job providing role players simulating a threat and cooperating with our boarding team. The boarding events were a great success,” said Walker. “Many countries were able to come together and share each other’s training techniques and styles. We all improved our techniques.”

During the exercise, Mitscher fired her 5-inch gun in support of sea-to-shore firing exercises using a Chilean spotter who directed fire. She also fired Standard and Harpoon missiles at a retired Chilean fishing vessel which was provided as a target. The launches gave Mitscher’s crew an opportunity to use their training during live missile shoots, and demonstrate U.S. Naval capabilities to partner nations.

“It was a great experience. I am veteran of six missile shoots, and this was the most missiles I have fired at one time,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Kevin Jones, from Mitscher. “I have been in the Navy for 17 years, and this was easily the best experience I have had.”

While in port, Sailors were able to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Chilean hero, Captain Arturo Prat, whom at the battle of Iquique in 1879 immortalized the commitment of Chilean Sailors to their country through his and his crew’s heroism and dedication.

Also ashore, Task Group 40.0 Sailors delivered Project Handclasp materials and volunteered their time at a community relations project at a home for abused and abandoned girls, Fundacion de Maria Ayuda. During the project Sailors repaired plumbing and electrical outages, and painted the building.

“I am really happy with this port visit. I think we accomplished a lot, especially after all the work put out by the Sailors during the community relations project,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Glenda Techur. “This was an uplifting experience.”

Task Group 40.0 is preparing to conduct UNITAS Pacific 2007 along the western coast of South America, with navies from Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States. It consists of dock-landing ship Pearl Harbor, guided-missile destroyer Mitscher, guided-missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) and Chilean frigate CS Almirante Latorre (FFG 14), under the leadership of Capt. Randy Snyder, Commander Destroyer Squadron 40.