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Carl Vinson, Chile Unite for Southern Seas 2010

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100315-10
Release Date: 3/15/2010 2:48:00 PM

From USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At sea (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) will conduct operations with Chile from March 14 to March 23 off the coast of the South American nation as part of Southern Seas 2010, a major component of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Partnership of the Americas.

"It is rare to have the chance to work with our Chilean partners for the amount of time that we have over the next ten days," said Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1. "This is a tremendous learning opportunity for all of us as we operate together."

Carl Vinson along with USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) will conduct various naval exercises with the Chilean navy in addition to a transit through the Straits of Magellan, air demonstrations, and military-to-military exchanges by embarking subject matter experts to encourage the two-way flow of information. The ship will also host distinguished visitors and media journalists as well.

The cooperative engagement period comes less than a month after an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale hit the country of Chile on Feb. 27.

"This extended interaction with our Chilean counterparts will be extremely beneficial to the crew of USS Carl Vinson because the ship is conducting its first operations after a four year shipyard overhaul," said Vinson's Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey. "The commitment Chile is showing by conducting these exercises after enduring the recent earthquake truly demonstrates the importance of working together as forces for global good."

Carl Vinson recently completed similar operations with Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.

Also conducting operations with Chile is USS Bunker Hill, Destroyer Squadron 1 and air wing components from Carrier Air Wing 17, Strike Fighter Squadron 81, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15, all of which are currently assigned to the Carl Vinson Strike Group.