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Chilean Submarine Completes Engagement Support, Departs Point Loma

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081126-24
Release Date: 11/26/2008 10:20:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Yan M. Kennon, Naval Base Point Loma Public Affairs

POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- Chilean Submarine (CS) Simpson (SS-21) departed from Naval Base Point Loma on Nov. 18, after spending two and a half months in the Southern California area of operations supporting several U.S. Navy 3rd Fleet joint exercises.

Simpson arrived at Naval Base Point Loma on Sept. 2 to take part in the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative partnership with the U.S. Navy. The partnership allows the U.S. and other allied navies to work together to train and test underwater warfare capabilities through engagement tactics, weapon system tests and close encounter operations. Simpson's deployment to Southern California assisted both the U.S. and Chilean navies to train their crews and test capabilities while fostering improved bilateral cooperation and enhancing joint-interoperability.

Simpson is a German-built Type 209 diesel-electric submarine with a crew of approximately 45 officers and Sailors and provided critical training opportunities for U.S. Navy platforms to develop and improve their anti-submarine warfare capability in the area of diesel-electric submarines.

Specifically, Simpson participated in Composite Unit Training Exercises and Joint Task Force Exercises, which are exercises designed to prepare and certify deployable Navy units as qualified for open ocean operations, with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group and Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group.

Additionally, as a first for the Chilean submarine community, Simpson participated in underwater rescue exercises with the U.S. Navy's Deep Submergence Unit (DSU), homeported at Naval Base Coronado. During these underwater rescue exercises, Simpson successfully transferred personnel while simulating an emergency situation, demonstrating the versatility and international capability that DSU is able to provide our allies and coalitions.

While in San Diego, Chilean sailors resided at Naval Base Point Loma Visitor Quarters and ate at the base galley. Some of the Chilean crew was joined by their families for some of the brief periods while they were in port.

Additionally, the commanding officer, Cmdr. Hernan Miller, said he greatly appreciated the hospitality offered by the U.S. Navy Sailors and the "Hail and Farewell" parties hosted in honor of Simpson.