The Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) executed a passing exercise (PASSEX) with its naval counterparts from El Salvador and Guatemala, January 21.
PASSEXs are a series of advanced close proximity maneuvering exercises designed to improve interoperability and advance partner nations’ ability to communicate, navigate, and operate together at sea.
“This tri-lateral PASSEX, strengthens our tactical readiness and practices operational command and control while signaling strategic commitments to our partners throughout the region,” said U.S. Navy Commander Larry Repass, commanding officer of Freedom.
This tri-lateral PASSEX, strengthens our tactical readiness and practices operational command and control while signaling strategic commitments to our partners throughout the region,” U.S. Navy Commander Larry Repass, commanding officer of Freedom.
Throughout the exercise, the forces were able to practice tactics in realistic training scenarios and develop greater trust, understanding, and respect for each other’s capabilities.
Freedom is deployed to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.