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Chilean Admiral Gets Bird's Eye View of Cooperation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080522-06
Release Date: 5/22/2008 9:22:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Riza Caparros, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group hosted the Chief of Naval Air Forces for Chile and provided him an opportunity to fly in an S-3B Viking during his May 19 visit to USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Rear Adm. Felipe Carvajal flew as a passenger in the jet in order to familiarize himself on the mechanics and operations of the aircraft. He said his flight was a step in the process to determine if the Chilean Navy could have a use for the jet in the future.

The carrier-based S-3B Viking is known for its versatility: equipped for missions including day or night surveillance; electronic countermeasures; command, control or communications warfare; as well as search and rescue.

The flight was piloted by Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS-22) Maintenance Officer Lt. Cmdr. Ben Cook, who noted Carvajal was enthusiastic about the aircraft's capabilities and that the demonstration flight was a good experience for both navies.

"The cooperation between the Chilean and the U.S. government was outstanding," he said, "and because the Chileans are evaluating whether or not they could use the S-3 in the future, this was a way to get into one of the aircraft, see how the machine works and if the machine will fit their needs."

Carvajal's visit came as the George Washington Carrier Strike Group is underway off the coast of Chile as part of its Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2008 deployment. POA operationalizes the naval operations concept and the U.S. Maritime Strategy by its efforts to work cooperatively with South American maritime partners, while promoting interoperability and trust that will ultimately lead to greater hemispheric security.

For more news from USS George Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.