Forrest Sherman Participates in At-Sea Phase of UNITAS Gold
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090501-11
Release Date: 5/1/2009 3:27:00 PM
By Ensign Adam R. Cole, USS Forrest Sherman Public Affairs
USS FORREST SHERMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) coordinated with several U.S. Navy and Latin American ships during the beginning at-sea phases of UNITAS Gold April 23-25.
The Norfolk-based destroyer joined the UNITAS battle group Alpha April 23, after completing a replenishment at sea with the German oiler FGS Frankfurt Am Mein (A1412)(AFS).
UNITAS Gold, in its 50th iteration, is the longest running multinational maritime exercise in the world. The eleven nations participating in this year's exercise include Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.
Due to a commitment to participate in Fleet Week Port Everglades in Southern Florida, Forrest Sherman was detached April 25 after completing leap frogs with the battle group.
"This was an excellent opportunity for us to work side-by-side with our maritime partners," said Cmdr. Wyatt N. Chidester, Forrest Sherman commanding officer. "[It]allows us to continue to build closer ties with our regional allies.
"In the end, we are all professional mariners and that professionalism was greatly displayed here," added Chidester.
In the first few days of the exercise , the UNITAS battle group performed operational maneuvering schemes and live-fire drills. Forrest Sherman operationally controlled aircraft that provided target assets for those drills.
Tactical maneuvering was a critical factor during this period, as ships formed in a line and then broke up into a honeycomb type formation and steamed together as one group.
"The great thing about an exercise like this is that it allows our partners the ability to take command of the battle group and gives us the opportunity to follow their lead. This is important if we had to respond in their region to a real-world contingency," said Lt. Ryan O'Loughlin, operations officer and one of the tactical action officers aboard Forrest Sherman.
"I think it was positive for watchstanders to perform in this type of environment: to get communications up and manned, to respond to tactical signals and to ensure safety of navigation throughout."
Forrest Sherman had previously performed in a similar event during Partnership of the Americas in the summer of 2008.
Much of the Forrest Sherman crew was on board for Partnership of the Americas, and they were able to bring coordination skills gained from that experience forward to UNITAS Gold.
Operations Specialist Seaman Raul Garza, from San Antonio, Texas, said he greatly benefited from this year's UNITAS. The Spanish-speaking seaman had communicated directly with partner nation personnel when they were on board last summer. He said that connection built a trust that continued to UNITAS Gold 2009.
"I think when you know, or at least have a sense, of the people on the other end of the communication circuits, it helps you feel more secure in following through on what commands they are giving you," said Garza. "This exercise [UNITAS Gold] had a lot of parts and pieces, and we, as watch standers, had to ensure that we stayed one step ahead so that our ship could make it to every assignment safely and accomplish the specific tactical requirement. All in all, it was good training that I personally know I was able to gain a lot from."
Forrest Sherman is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer based in Norfolk.
For more news from Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns.
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