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Underwood Conducts Ship-Rider Exchanges with UNITAS Participants

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120525-14
5/25/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Frank J. Pikul, Southern Seas 2012 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN – (NNS) -- Officers and Sailors from the Peruvian, Chilean, Mexican, Colombian, and U.S. Navy ships participating in UNITAS Pacific (PAC) exchanged ship-riders during the 53rd iteration of these annual naval exercises May 16.

The officers and Sailors involved in the exchanges embarked on various ships to observe how other navies' ships operated and to promote goodwill with partner nations.

Ensign Guillermo Coistella and Ensign Armando Almaguer of the Mexican navy and 2nd Lt. Melvin Rojas and 2nd Lt. Silvia L. Barrera of the Colombian navy rode aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36).

"It was a good experience for me and I got to learn a lot about the way an American ship operates and their procedures," said 2nd Lt. Silvia Barrera, a ship-rider from the Colombian ship Valle Del Cauca (PO-44). "The crew of the Underwood treated me well and they were happy to have me aboard."

Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Frank Pikul and Yeoman 2nd Class Jose Carrion-Rodriguez spent two days embarked on the Peruvian ship Mariategui (FM 54) and one day aboard the Mexican ship Durango (PO-151). Pikul photographed and filmed video of various events aboard both ships. Carrion-Rodriguez joined Pikul for the embarkations because of his Spanish-speaking skills and had the opportunity to speak with many of the sailors aboard the other vessels.

"I enjoyed the experience because I got to know the other sailors on these ships and felt like I was making a difference in their lives by immersing myself in their culture," said Carrion-Rodriguez.

Underwood officers had the opportunity to ride Colombian and Peruvian ships. Ensign Marco Arroyo and Ensign Clarissa Carpio embarked Valle Del Cauca and Lt. j.g. Joshua Valiani spent four days aboard the Peruvian ship Quiñones (FM 58).

"I was impressed by the professionalism and the development of the Peruvian naval officers and their ability to operate with our Navy," said Valiani. "I think it is a great opportunity to be able to work with another navy and to learn from them and would recommend if the opportunity arises for officers and enlisted personnel, to do what I did."

UNITAS PAC 53-12 is an annual naval exercise where the U.S. Navy and South American navies increase interoperability with each other and promote maritime security in the region. Underwood is representing the U.S. Navy during UNITAS PAC and is deployed to Central and South America and Caribbean in support of Southern Seas 2012.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.