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Doyle Begins Second Half of Southern Seas 2009

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090831-13
Release Date: 8/31/2009 4:08:00 PM

From USS Doyle Public Affairs

SANTA MARTA, Colombia (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Doyle (FFG 39) arrived in Santa Marta for a port visit Aug. 23-26 as part of Southern Seas 2009 (SS09).

While in port, Doyle's crew accomplished a full schedule, incorporating subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) with the Colombian military, a community relations (COMREL) project, a Project Handclasp delivery, a distinguished visitor luncheon and two sports events with the Colombian military.

Upon mooring in Santa Marta, Doyle began its schedule of events by conducting training with the Colombian Navy.

Both damage control SMEEs and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) SMEEs were conducted on the ship, enabling both militaries to integrate new ideas to procedures and allow for U.S. and Colombian service members to learn new techniques.

"Although we've done damage control SMEE events in other ports with foreign militaries, there is always something new and interesting to learn," said Lt. j. g. Geoffrey Hensley, Doyle's damage control assistant. "Every military does something differently, and it's a great way to train the crew in damage control. The Colombian military were excited to see how we train our teams in pipe patching and fire safety. All in all, this was another success."

Along with the SMEEs throughout the day, Doyle's crew and members of the Colombian military participated in soccer and volleyball games.

"This was a great way to end a day of mil-to-mil (military-to-military) operations, by playing a couple of games and really being able to interact with the Colombians," said Ensign Heather Golightly, a Doyle officer.

The main event during Doyle's visit to Santa Marta was a COMREL project at the local school, Colegio Nicolas Buenaventura Sede Chimila II. The COMREL involved Doyle's crew offloading five Project Handclasp pallets to present to the school and repainting the school building. The Project Handclasp pallets consisted of various medical and hygiene materials, as well as toys to distribute to the 600 students at the school.

After a presentation from the school children to the COMREL volunteers, Doyle's Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Corey Blaser presented the pallets to Fara Oliveya, the director of the school.

Twenty-five Doyle volunteers and 15 Colombian military participants then proceeded to spend the day repainting the walls of the nine-classroom school building. While the newly painted walls dried, the crew spent the afternoon playing games with the students.

"This really makes such an impact on the community and most importantly the kids," said Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey McMurray. "For future generations, the impressions we make as visitors to their country will benefit us in the long run. Not only was the project gratifying to accomplish, it also contributes to making lasting friendships with the host country."

Following the COMREL project, Doyle crew members visited the memorial of Simon Bolivar, who liberated most of South America from the Spanish. A tour of the church where Bolivar passed away and a view of the monument enabled the crew to see an important historical site for many South Americans.

Doyle is on a six-month deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean as part of SS09, supporting U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the Americas maritime strategy.

SS09 focuses on working with partner nations in the region by conducting exercises, military-to-military engagements and theater security cooperation engagements to enhance interoperability.