• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Navy Ships Begin Next Phase of SOUTHCOM Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090512-05
Release Date: 5/12/2009 5:07:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander, Commander Destroyer Squadron 40 Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Guided-missile frigates departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., May 8 to conduct Southern Seas 2009.

Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet and carried out by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40. It involves the deployment of Destroyer Squadron 40, USS Kauffman (FFG 59), USS Doyle (FFG 39) and USS Ford (FFG 54), HSL-43 Detachment 4, which will sail the waters surrounding Latin America and the Caribbean April-October.

"Southern Seas 2009 is off to a great start," said Capt. Rudy Laco, commander Destroyer Squadron 40. "We are building on the positive relationships we made during UNITAS Gold by participating in a post-UNITAS multinational alliance operation with Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and the United States."

The Colombian-led task group will proceed south from Mayport, Fla., to conduct multi-warfare training exercises and will include a port visit to Cartagena, Colombia. The port visit will provide Sailors the opportunity to experience the rich South American culture and to serve as goodwill ambassadors in Cartagena. During their stay, Sailors will participate in community relations projects to build relationships and mutual understanding with the local community.

"We are returning to many cities we visited last year and get to work with navies we operated with," said Cmdr. Robert Cepek, commanding officer of Kauffman.

"This time we know what's over the horizon and most of the crew is comfortable working with South and Central American navies which enables us to take our training to the next level while deployed."

Supporting U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of focus, Southern Seas 2009 focuses on enhancing relationships with regional partner nations and improving operational readiness for all assigned units. In addition, Southern Seas provides the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability and demonstrate flexibility.

"As Kauffman returned from Partnership of the Americas 2008 deployment just six months ago, we are looking very forward to continuing relationships forged while on deployment last year and improving our performance in Southern Seas 09 exercises from lessons we learned last year," Cepek said.