ABOARD USS OAK HILL, Atlantic Ocean -- The USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) departed Puerto Belgrano, Argentina, July 1 after a five-day port call in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) multinational combined exercise Southern Exchange 2009.
During the visit, Sailors from Oak Hill, Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), and Sailors assigned to the Expeditionary Training Command (ETC) in Little Creek, Va., engaged with Argentine Sailors and Marines in a series of training evolutions strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
ETC conducted three days of training on small boat maintenance; Vessel, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS); and in-port security training with Argentine Sailors aboard Oak Hill. Additionally, Oak Hill’s Damage Control Training team (DCTT) welcomed aboard Sailors from the Argentine Navy, giving them a tour of damage control spaces.
Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW) Miguel Vazquez, DC division Leading Petty Officer, said he enjoyed talking with his Argentina counterparts and sharing their thoughts about damage control.
“It was really worth it,” said Vazquez. “They are some really great guys – regular Sailors like us. If we’re ever in this region and have a fire or casualty aboard this ship, I hope they would send their damage controlmen over here to share their technical expertise. And I hope if they ever need help, we have the opportunity to go over their and do the same.”
Marines from II MEF conducted three days of martial arts, convoy operations, and military operation urban terrain training with more than 100 Argentina Marines. Detachment II Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) Officer-in-Charge, 1st Lt Gregory Lynch, said the interaction between the two groups created a unique training atmosphere.
“Our Marines really enjoyed working with them,” said Lynch. “They were very enthusiastic and eager to learn. It made our guys want to do their best.”
Lynch said sharing ideas with the Argentine Marines was a great experience. “We got an opportunity to exchange ideas,” added Lynch. “It is good to get a different perspective of how we do things. They would take a look at our tactics and tell us about how they would do things. It was an interesting exchange of ideas. They are a very professional force who knows what they are doing.”
Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO Capt. Brad Williamson hosted an evening reception June 29 for top-level Argentine Naval Officers and Marines and guests from the U.S. Embassy. Among the guests in attendance were U.S. Embassy Chargé D’ Affaires, Mr. Thomas Kelly, Vice Adm. Carlos Paz, Argentina Commander of Naval Forces, and Rear Adm. Edwardo Castro Rivas, Argentina Commander of Fleet Forces.
Williamson said this event was one of the highlights of the port visit. “The opportunity to welcome more than 100 distinguished visitors aboard this great warship and reaffirm our commitment to working together as maritime partners is a special occasion,” said Williamson. “Our goal is to strengthen the already existing bonds with our friends in South America. This event allowed us a chance to recognize and build this friendship. The crew of Oak Hill, and the embarked Sailors and Marines should be justifiably proud of their work here in Argentina.”
Although they had a tight schedule, Sailors and embarked staff still had time to enjoy themselves in the port city of Punta Alta and in the shopping center of Bahia Blanca. Oak Hill Executive Officer, Lcdr David Bauer, summed up the entire port visit with a message to the crew.
“Our success in these events, along with zero liberty incidents ashore, plus the great hospitality offered by the Argentine Navy and the towns of Punta Alta and Bahia Blanca served to make this a great visit,” declared Bauer. “By any measure, our visit to Argentina was a major success.”