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Team Work South 2009 Gets Underway

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090629-15
Release Date: 6/29/2009 4:50:00 PM

By Ensign Julien Geiser, USS Ford Public Affairs

MEJILLONES, Chile (NNS) -- U.S. Navy assets arrived in Mejillones June 28 after completing the first phase of the multinational exercise Team Work South (TWS) 2009.

More than a dozen ships from Chile, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and United States are participating in the two-week exercise.

Three U.S. guided-missile frigates, USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Doyle (FFG 39), and USS Kauffman (FFG 59) are currently participating in TWS 2009 under the command of Capt. Rudy Laco, commander, Task Group (CTG) 40.0 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40.

During the two-week joint exercise, the ships are performing combined naval operations with the partner nations, as well as conducting distinguished visitor visits and community relation (COMREL) events. The relentless schedule of TWS2009 has challenged every participant.

"These joint exercises are intentionally designed to push each crew member to the limit," said Ford's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John D. Wilshusen. "In a time of true crisis, the benefits of this kind of training would be realized in the form of smooth integration of many nations into one single and cohesive fighting force. In a world where interdependence is the norm, it is essential that we, as leading nations with similar goals, learn to work as one."

The first phase of the exercise involved numerous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises, coordinated defense against surface littoral threats, surface gunnery exercises and other training events to develop at-sea proficiency and ability to operate together. The participating frigates from each nation are similarly equipped to conduct successful ASW operations, which have always been one of the primary missions of a frigate. Among the tools available to the participating ships were five helicopters, each embarked upon a different nation's ship.

The operational integration of San Diego-based Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43 Det 4's SH-60B, two Chilean SH-32 Cougars, a British Lynx, a Brazilian Super Lynx and a French Alouette III, was one of the significant accomplishments of the week.

Lt. j.g. Colin Galle, Ford's anti-submarine warfare officer, was particularly appreciative of the key role that the helicopters played in successfully tracking participating submarines.

"It is obvious that our partner navies are very competent and professional and it's good to be working with them," said Galle. "We are learning a great deal from each other."

Following a short stop at anchor in Mejillones harbor for tactical briefings and operational planning, the ships will set sail for the final exercise scenario phase, during which they will take opposite sides in a fictitious maritime operation simulating real-world coalition operations at sea.

Ford, Doyle, and Kauffman are deployed to Latin America in support of Southern Seas 2009, an annual deployment that is part of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)'s Partnership of the Americas strategy, and focuses on conducting exercises, military to military engagements, and theater security cooperation engagements to enhance relationships with partner nations in the SOUTHCOM area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters.