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Naval Forces Southern Command News

14 Dec 2022

Nineteen Fall Overboard During Transfer to US Navy Hospital Ship

(Photo: U.S. Navy)

Nineteen personnel fell overboard, and two of them were hurt, during a transfer from a small boat to the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) off the coast of Haiti on Monday, the Navy said.All were safely recovered and returned to Comfort with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller (WPC 1138). The two injured sailors were treated aboard Comfort and are expected to make a full recovery, the Navy said.The hospital ship arrived off the coast of Jeremie, Haiti, in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S.

18 Jul 2017

UNITAS 2017 Naval Exercise Begins In Peru

Naval maritime forces from 19 countries are gathering in Lima, Peru, to kick off the 58th iteration of the annual multilateral exercise UNITAS. The meeting will conclude on July 26. This year's exercise will be hosted by Peru and commanded by Peruvian navy Rear Adm. Alberto Alcala. Participating countries include the United States, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Panama, Mexico, Spain, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While participating in UNITAS 2017, U.S. forces will be under the operational control of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 138/U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) Rear Adm. Sean Buck.

29 Apr 2017

US Coast Guard Seizes $22.5 Mln of Cocaine

The Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship USS Zephyr (PC 8), its embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) personnel and coalition forces intercepted an immense amount of contraband while on patrol conducting Operation Martillo in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations April 19. Zephyr, along with Dutch Karel Doorman-class multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel, pursued and boarded a small fishing vessel, called a panga, and interdicted 750 kilograms of cocaine with a total street value of $22.5 million. "Today's success was due to the high professionalism and cohesive integration of the Zephyr crew and USCG LEDET," said Lt. Cmdr. Cameron Ingram, Zephyr's commanding officer.

24 Jul 2015

Final West Coast Frigate Decommissioned

USS Gary (FFG 51) arrives at Naval Base San Diego after completing its final deployment before decomissioning. (US Navy photo by Donnie W. Ryanl)

The U.S. Navy has decommissioned its last remaining Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate on the West coast as past and current crew, plank owners, former and current commanding officers, namesake relatives and friends and family gathered at Naval Base San Diego July 23 to bid farewell to USS Gary (FFG 51) after 31 years of service. The decommissioning ceremony was led by the ship's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Steven McDowell, with guest speakers including Hon. William Albrecht, World War II veteran and a recipient of the Bronze Star, and retired Capt. Dallas Bethea.

14 Aug 2014

Panama Canal Simulated Defence Exercise PANAMAX

Leaders of the maritime component of PANAMAX 2014 have paused about halfway through the exercise, to assess its benefits so far, informs U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs. Rear Adm. Benjamin Calle of Colombia is the Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Jon Matheson, the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, is deputy CFMCC for the exercise, which began Aug. 4 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 15. "This PANAMAX exercise is a huge event," said Calle. Sources say that 38 to 40 ships transit the canal daily between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, carrying some five percent of world maritime trade.

23 Oct 2013

Lost Vessel Rescued by U.S. Navy Ship

Guided-missile frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46) and embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) conducted a Safety-of-Life-at-Sea operation rescue Oct. 20-21 for a fishing vessel, 200 nautical miles off the coast of Ecuador in distress and stranded for 10 days. The crew of the 14 meter vessel and four other small crafts in tow, had been without fuel or food prior to Rentz' arrival. The distressed vessel was spotted early Sunday morning, Oct. 20 by Rentz' forward lookouts, who reported the small craft roughly 6,000 yards forward of the ship's position. The ship swiftly responded and launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat to investigate the situation with embarked U.S. Coast Guard LEDET personnel.

11 Jun 2013

Raven Meets Urgent Navy Surveillance Need

Aerostar Tethered Aerostat System: Photo credit Raven Industries

Raven Aerostar recently concluded a successful maritime operation in response to an urgent requirement from the Commander, U.S. Navy South for a maritime persistent surveillance solution aimed to enhance security in the Caribbean Basin. Quickly meeting the requirements provided by U.S. Navy South, Raven Aerostar deployed a turnkey Maritime Persistent Surveillance Solution featuring a Raven Aerostar Tethered Aerostat System integrated with a state-of-the-art Vista Smart Sensing Radar System…

08 Dec 2011

Lessons Learned Lead to Improvements in Follow-on LCS Ships

The U.S. Navy and its shipbuilding partners have incorporated lessons learned from the first two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) in the design and construction of the follow-on ships. “I think the lead ships are pretty good,” says Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, the Program Executive Officer for LCS (PEO LCS). LCS 1 is the USS Freedom, built at Marinette Marine in Wisconsin by a team led by Lockheed Martin, and commissioned in November of 2008. The ship deployed to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command as well as participated in the RIMPAC fleet exercises around Hawaii in 2010.

15 Mar 2010

USS Fort McHenry Completes Haiti Mission

Photo courtesy U.S. Navy

The USS Fort McHenry arrived in Haiti Jan. 18, six days after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation. The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship's Sailors and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) provided critical medical, distribution, rubble removal and construction assistance during Operation Unified Response. The ship provided over 3,500 pounds of medical aid and the medical team treated 850 patients, both on the ship and ashore…

18 Feb 2010

Freedom’s Maiden Deployment

Photo courtesy U.S. Navy

The Navy's first littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), left Naval Station Mayport Feb. 16 for her maiden operational deployment to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) areas of focus. During the independent deployment, Freedom will participate in counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) operations off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Central and South America and the Caribbean Sea. A U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) is embarked aboard Freedom to facilitate CIT operations.

22 Oct 2008

Dominican Republic Joins Global Info System

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/ U.S. 4th Fleet Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan joined Dominican Republic representatives in a ceremony to mark the beginning of this cooperative endeavor with Dominican Republic. MSSIS is an international system, developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in partnership with NATO and the U.S. Navy to provide a way for global partners to share AIS information. There are currently 52 nations participating in MSSIS, which collects and displays AIS data from multiple mobile and stationary platforms for real-time MDA to multiple users through a web-based, password-protected system.

17 Sep 2008

Navy, Coast Guard Capture Drug Sub

In this photo released by the U.S. Coast Guard, members of U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment 404 survey the deck of the self-propelled, semi-submersible craft seized Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, by the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG 8). The Coast Guard law enforcement officers, embarked aboard the McInerney, seized the estimated $187 million worth of cocaine during a night raid about 350 miles west of Guatemala.

Sailors from USS McInerney (FFG 8) and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment 404 (LEDET) intercepted a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) carrying seven tons of cocaine Sept. 13. Sailors intercepted the 59-foot SPSS in a nighttime interdiction 350 miles off the coast of , capturing four suspected narcotics smugglers from and the large cargo of cocaine before the SPSS could be scuttled. An SPSS is capable of carrying 3-5 metric tons of cocaine and has no maritime use other than the covert transport of narcotics or other illegal goods.

05 Sep 2008

USNS Saturn Aids Stranded Fishing Vessel

U.S. Navy combat stores ship USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10) aided a stranded fishing vessel about 53 nautical miles south of Aug. 24. Saturn's watchstanders on the bridge noticed two crew members of the fishing vessel Triple Suerte waiving distress flags. After receiving permission from Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), who had tactical control of the ship, Saturn launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to begin a search and rescue investigation. Once the RHIB crew arrived on-scene, Triple Suerte's master, Edward Jiminez, explained the crew had been stranded for four days due to the vessel's lifeless battery. Saturn's crew of about 120 civil service mariners and 40 Sailors were happy to help the stranded mariners. Saturn's engineers rendered assistance by providing a new battery.

25 Apr 2008

Navy Reestablishes U.S. Fourth Fleet

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the reestablishment of U.S. 4th Fleet and assigned Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, currently serving as Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, as its first commander. 4th Fleet will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, and Central and and the surrounding waters. Located in , , and dual-hatted with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO), 4th Fleet reestablishment addresses the increased role of maritime forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus, and demonstrates commitment to regional partners.

21 Dec 2007

U.S. Navy, Uruguay Plan 2008 Maritime Operations

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Holly Boynton, U.S. Representatives from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard met with a delegation from Armada Nacional de Uruguay (Uruguayan Navy) Dec. 18-19 for the U.S. Navy and Uruguayan Operational Naval Committee Conference (ONC Uruguay). The two navies met to outline and agree to various exercises and interactions between their countries in Latin America during 2008. ONC Uruguay, hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) in Mayport is an annual conference to plan and coordinate various exercises and theater security cooperation events the U.S. and Uruguay intend to conduct for the upcoming year. The ONC brings together representatives from the U.S.

31 Aug 2007

Multinational FA PANAMAX 2007 Begins

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. PANAMA CITY, Panama (NNS) -- Nineteen nations have combined military and civil forces in Fuerzas Alidas PANAMAX 2007, a U.S. Southern Command joint and multinational exercise Aug. 29-Sept. 7, to ensure the continued security of the Panama Canal. The U.S. Navy and participating nations have deployed 30 vessels, a dozen aircraft and more than 7,000 personnel in cooperation with Panama, which maintains the historic canal as a neutral waterway that is crucial to global maritime commerce and peace and prosperity in the region. “This year’s PANAMAX is a truly amazing exercise,” said Brig. Gen. Manuel Ortiz, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army South who spoke at an opening ceremony Aug. 29. Vice Adm.

29 Aug 2007

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…

27 Aug 2007

Brazilian Sub Visits Mayport on First Deployment to U.S.

Brazilian Navy submarine Tikuna (S 34) enters Mayport Basin during its first visit to a U.S. Navy base, sponsored by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO). NAVSO sponsors foreign military visits to promote relations with partner nations in Latin America to support Theater Security Cooperation. U.S. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Holly Boynton, U.S. Brazilian submarine Tikuna (S 34) visited Mayport during its first deployment to a foreign country Aug. 3-13. Tikuna, homeported at Base Almirante Castro e Silva, Mocangue Island, near Rio de Janeiro, deployed from Brazil on May 27 to participate in several training exercises. Units from Canada, England, France and Peru worked together with Tikuna and the U.S. Navy to train in anti-submarine warfare.

19 Jul 2007

Comfort Arrives in Nicaragua, Continues Mission

After caring for more than 55,000 patients in Belize, Guatemala and Panama, hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Corinto on July 18, continuing its four-month humanitarian assistance deployment. U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, Canadian Forces, and Operation Smile and Project Hope personnel will continue providing the people of Latin America and the Caribbean with no-cost health care services, including adult and pediatric primary care, dental care, optometry and other services while in Nicaragua. More than 30 "Operation Smile" personnel will board the ship here to conduct cleft lip and cleft palate operations aboard Comfort.

13 Jul 2007

USNS Comfort Transits Canal

Capt. Ed Nanartowich, civilian shipmaster for Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), communicates with his crew while transiting the Panama Canal. Comfort is on a four-month humanitarian deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean to provide medical treatment to patients in a dozen countries. While deployed, Comfort is under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and tactical control of Destroyer Squadron 24. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Karsten

24 May 2007

Supplying Fuel, Keeping the Fleet Afloat

The Argentine supply ship ARA Patagonia (B 1) participates in exercises alongside dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) to mark the beginning of UNITAS. Navies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain and the United States are participating in UNITAS Atlantic 48-2007 from May 2-13 off the coast of Argentina. UNITAS is a combined South American- and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise that incorporates forces from several participating nations. Argentina is hosting this year’s Atlantic phase. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lenny M. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Holly Boynton, U.S. Commander, Task Force Four Three (CTF 43) provided supply support to numerous U.S. and partner nation naval ships during a recent exercise off the coast of Argentina.

30 Apr 2007

Global Fleet Station Deployment Begins

High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift, along with Commander Task Group 40.9, is deploying as part of the Global Fleet Station (GFS) pilot to the Caribbean Basin and Central America. This deployment is designed to analyze the GFS concept for the Navy, by enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving operational readiness for the participating partner nations. U.S. The pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS) deployment began April 25, with the departure of High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift and the embarked Task Group (TG) 40.9, from Naval Station Mayport. “After much anticipation and preparation it feels great to get underway,” said Capt. Douglas Wied, commander Task Group 40.9. Global Fleet Station pilot 2007 is a U.S.

20 Apr 2007

Davis Commemorates Birthday of Ship’s Namesake

From USS Rodney M. USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) held a ceremony April 7 to commemorate the birthday of her namesake, Marine Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis. The ship, commissioned in 1987, was named in honor of Davis who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. The ship's chief petty officers presented Davis' uniform and awards to the command during the ceremony. The memorabilia will be displayed on the mess decks. The chiefs chose Davis’ birthday to honor both his life and his achievements. Chief Cryptologic Technician Technical David Gwinner, Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Electrical Kurt Williams, and Chief Sonar Technician Robert Foss presented the display. Harold McConnell, commandant of the Marine Corps League, Sgt. Rodney M.