After 24 days at sea, the Peruvian naval submarine BAP Antofagasta (SS-32) arrived at U.S. Naval Station Mayport, in Florida, to participate in the SUBDIEX 2011 exercise with U.S. Navy units. The exercise is part of the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI), a program that will require the unit to remain deployed for approximately 131 days.
After 24 days at sea, the Peruvian naval submarine BAP Antofagasta (SS-32) arrived at U.S. Naval Station Mayport, in Florida, to participate in the SUBDIEX 2011 exercise with U.S. Navy units. The exercise is part of the Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI), a program that will require the unit to remain deployed for approximately 131 days.
The Antofagasta’s commander, Commander Alberto Vergara Velarde, was welcomed by the Peruvian naval attaché in the United States, Rear Admiral Jorge Portocarrero, the head of planning for the U.S. Fourth Fleet, Captain Domenick Micillo, and the top commander of the USS Underwood, Commander Peter Mirisola, among others.
The annual DESI exercises provide valuable training opportunities for the U.S. Navy’s combat and expeditionary groups in operations against silent diesel-electric submarines. Part of these exercises includes analysis of the results of the maneuvers, making it possible to evaluate operational capabilities and levels.
The program has chiefly concentrated on training with South American navies that use diesel submarines, which although they do not have the firepower, speed, or deployment capacity of nuclear-powered submarines, have proven very difficult for U.S. submariners to track.
For their part, the Peruvian crew will have the opportunity to practice anti-surface and anti-submarine tactics in scenarios that will include simulated clashes with some of the most powerful units currently in service and will also have the opportunity to strengthen ties of security and interoperability with the U.S. Navy.
As former C.O. of these peruvian diesel electric submarines I do express by heart my congratulations to Commander Vergara and his crew having in mind these boats were built almost four decades ago but still are an strong underwater threat for the most advanced T.F.
Than you to our USN fellows for the high level of confidence among our navies.
Vice Admiral (R) Gustavo Barragan I join, with pleasure, my ex-classmate Gustavo´s comment. Lieutenant (R) Ernesto Montagne The experience to maintain and make the most out of the conventional submarine forces has its highest level among the Peruvian military power. Take a look to these pictures and report:
http://esosi.org/peru-mil/
The USA Naval Commanders know they have to train with these forces yearly for a mutual benefit. The Almirante Miguel Grau started it all in Peru 130 years ago, demonstrating how him and his crew alone could sink and pose a serious threat to a fleet of English and Chilean forces at the Pacific War. Since then the Peruvian naval forces have followed that outstanding performance tradition. This trainning exercises serves not only as a platform to make our armed forces (Peruvian Navy) more ready for electronic warfare combat,but also to strentghten the traditional friendship between U.S.A, and Peru.