Oak Hill, Brazilian Navy Conduct Joint Operations

ABOARD USS OAK HILL, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) conducted joint helicopter operations with the Brazilian Navy off the coast of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, July 25.

Brazilian pilots conducted 18 approaches and landings with a Super Puma helicopter on Oak Hill's flight deck as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) '09, a combined naval and amphibious operation with Oak Hill and maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

Capt. Brad Williamson, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 2, said being able to conduct successful joint operations improves interoperability between partner nations and ultimately improves maritime security in the region.

"The regional challenges that face our navies today require cooperative solutions. More integrated forces, built around the ability to work seamlessly with each other, will dramatically improve maritime security for each of us." said Williamson. "Being able to come here and conduct operations of this magnitude is definitely an important step in doing that for all of the nations involved."

Oak Hill is on the final portion of her three-month SPS '09 deployment. The ship has conducted various operations with partner nations in the region and has welcomed aboard foreign liaison personnel to engage in joint training evolutions tailored to give each nation the opportunity to both teach and learn from each other by sharing ideas.

"What we've been able to accomplish the past two months is unprecedented," said Williamson. "We have been able to help establish strong, open, and multilateral partnerships among nations who share similar beliefs with respect to maritime security. Each nation was able to improve its own core capabilities through cooperation and sharing, while fostering increased interoperability - thus strengthening our ability to respond together to natural disasters, crisis, or other challenges."

Oak Hill departed her homeport in Little Creek, Va., for SPS '09 on June 3. The ship is scheduled to return in late August. Oak Hill is also supporting U.S. Marine Corps Forces South multinational amphibious exercise Southern Exchange 2009.

For more news from USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd51/.