DSU Tests New Submarine Rescue System with Chilean Submarine
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Alexia M. The Navy's Deep Submergence Unit tested a new system known as the submarine rescue diving and recompression system (SRDRS) with the Chilean submarine CS Simpson (SS-21) Sept. 17-18. The SRDS is designed to be rapidly deployed to any location in the world via air or ground and can be installed on military or commercial vessels when a call for assistance is received. It will replace the de-activated deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) system as the Navy's premier submarine rescue capability. "The SRDRS is the U.S. Navy's 21st century submarine rescue system and represents state-of-the-art technology for submarine rescue systems," said Lt. Rich Ray, the former engineering officer of the rescue submarine Mystic (DSRV 1).
USS Pearl Harbor Arrives in Panama
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Alexia M. USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrived in Vasco Nunez de Balboa on Aug. 25 after completing a series of theater security cooperation events with Central American partner nations during Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. While in Panama, Pearl Harbor and other POA units participated in a joint and multinational training Exercise, PANAMAX 2007, tailored to the defense and security of the Panama Canal. “PANAMAX provides realistic training opportunities for forces operating in multinational environments,” said Cmdr. Victor Cooper, Pearl Harbor commanding officer. Sea, ground and air force personnel and observers from 20 countries…
Partnership of the Americas Units Conduct Exercises with Brazilian Navy
Partnership of the Americas Task Group 40.0 conducted Passing Exercises (PASSEX) while underway with the Brazilian Navy on April 23 during Partnership of the Americas 2007. Within 36 hours, 18 events were completed to train the multinational task group in different warfare areas along with three Brazilian ships: BNS Independencia (F 44), BNS Bosisio (F 48) and BNS Gastao Motta (G 23). The task group is composed of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and Chilean Frigate CS Almirante Latorre under the tactical command of Capt. Randy Snyder, Commander Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 40. “This is a great opportunity for United States, Chile and Brazil to work together prior to UNITAS Atlantic,” said Lt. Cmdr. Donald Voelbel, CDS 40 operations officer.
