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Forrest Sherman Teams with French Ship for PASSEX

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090425-15
Release Date: 4/25/2009 9:34:00 PM

By Ensign Adam R. Cole, USS Forrest Sherman Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) partnered with French ship FS Forbin (D 620) to conduct a passing exercise (PASSEX) off the coast just north of Virginia April 20-21.

The passing exercise featured personnel exchanges, an air defense exercise, a publication exercise, and non-maneuvering Divtacs.

"It was great to be able to work with our French allies," said Cmdr. Wyatt N. Chidester, Forrest Sherman commanding officer. "We know that the more we work together and build interoperability, the better we will be when we are needed to partner in any type of real world scenario."

The Forbin was commissioned in December and was sent on deployment in March. Its capabilities highly mirror the Forrest Sherman and other U.S. destroyers. The Forbin is hailed an air defense platform.

"It's good to see the capabilities, and to realize that we have very similar capabilities," said Lt. Antoine Morcello, Forbin's propulsion assistant, one of three Forbin sailors to come aboard Forrest Sherman. "I think we have always had a good longstanding partnership with the United States Navy but training exercises like this help sustain that and build on it."

Once the two ships rendezvoused late Monday, the PASSEX began with both ships exchanging communication signals over a communications net. Watchstanders were challenged to decipher the signals being passed and decode them.

Communication was a constant element to making the PASSEX a success, said watchstanders throughout the Forrest Sherman. It became especially crucial when the French helicopter, a French Panther (AS 565 SA), landed on Forrest Sherman early Tuesday morning.

In the air defense exercise, the two forces shared a common tactical picture and worked together to combat simulated air threats. The Forbin was air defense commander of the exercise, affirming tactical direction as U.S. air defense player passed them over communication circuits.

"It definitely improved interoperability," said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Jerald Anderson, who is designated as a surface warfare coordinator. His main job during the exercise was to track and report the French ship's position, so the two ships could keep close to each other. Anderson said that he had a chance to speak with one of the French sailors, which was beneficial as well.

"Overall, was just able to gain a better perspective of how the French operate and felt that we both gained a better sense of working together."

Forrest Sherman is an Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer based in Norfolk, Va.

For more information from Commander NAval SUrface Forces Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant.