USS Pinckney, KRI Slamet Riyadi Engage in PASSEX

June 25, 2014

Guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) and the Indonesian navy frigate KRI Slamet Riyadi (F 352) conducted a two-day training exercise, also known as a passing exercise (PASSEX), June 24.

The exercise, which occurred as both ships transited across the southernmost part of the South China Sea, covered several naval competencies including, flashing light, flaghoist and bridge-to-bridge communication drills, shipboard maneuvering, gunnery exercises, and a brief personnel exchange. During tactical maneuvering drills, crews practiced Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) safety protocols.

“Passing exercises like this one are modest in scale, but are a highly effective way to sharpen essential maritime skills and develop professional relationships with our partners in Southeast Asia,” said Capt. Fred Kacher, deputy commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 embarked on board Pinckney.

Following a very successful diving exercise on the wreck of USS Houston (CA 30) from June 9-12, this PASSEX is the second of three separate focused training events taking place as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia. The third event, a cyber exercise, will take place in Jakarta.

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Press Release, June 25, 2014; Image: Wikimedia