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News from around the Fleet

READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Chile, October 24-26, 2022

28 October 2022

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Chile, October 24-26, 2022 to affirm the close and enduring cooperation between Chile and United States. As Pacific nations, the countries share a nearly 200 year relationship and friendship.
Adm. Samuel Paparo speaks with Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza next to the flags of Chile and the United States.
SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke with Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, prior to the Legion of Merit award presentation at the Chilean Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Santiago, Chile. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Adm. Samuel Paparo speaks with Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza next to the flags of Chile and the United States.
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SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke with Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, prior to the Legion of Merit award presentation at the Chilean Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Santiago, Chile. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Photo By: U.S. Navy
VIRIN: 221024-N-N0801-1018

Paparo met with senior Chilean officials to demonstrate the importance of the bilateral defense relationship, exchange views on regional security challenges, and integration between the two navies to meet the threats. Paparo also discussed deepening and broadening the robust naval cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Pacific.

Chilean officials included:

  • Mr. Gabriel Gaspar, Undersecretary of Defense (VMOD)
  • Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy
  • Vice Adm. Alberto Soto, Commander of Naval Operations
  • Vice Adm. Carlos Huber, Director General of the Coast Guard
  • Vice Adm. Niemann Figari, Director of Services and Material of the Navy
  • Vice Adm. Yerko Marcic, Chief of Staff of the Navy
  • Rear Adm. Raul Zamorano, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy
  • Rear Adm. Fernando Cabrera, Commander of the First Naval Zone
  • Rear Adm. Gonzalo Penaranda, Chief of Fleet
  • Rear Adm. Fernando le Dantec, Director of Investigations and Development
  • Capt. Federico Saelzer, Director of the Naval Academy

During the visit, Paparo presented the Legion of Merit Award to De la Maza for exceptionally meritorious service. His efforts advanced the partnership between the United States Navy and the Chilean Navy through multiple engagements, exercises, and exchange programs. The two navies routinely conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Cooperative Deployments, RIMPAC, PANAMAX, UNITAS, DESI, and Team Work South.

Adm. Samuel Paparo and Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza pose for a photo following the Legion of Merit award presentation.
SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, pose for a photo following the Legion of Merit award presentation at the Chilean Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Santiago, Chile. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Adm. Samuel Paparo and Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza read a passage in a book during a visit at the Chilean Ministry of Defense Headquarters.
SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, read a passage in a book during a visit at the Chilean Ministry of Defense Headquarters, Santiago, Chile. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Chilean and U.S. Navy officials meet at the Defense Headquarters in Santiago, Chile.
SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Chilean and U.S. Navy officials meet at the Defense Headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Left to right, Vice Adm. Alberto Soto, commander, Chilean Naval Operations, Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Mr. Gabriel Gaspar, Chile’s Undersecretary of Defense, Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy, and Rear Adm. James Aiken, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Adm. Samuel Paparo and Rear Adm. James Aiken listen to the history of the Heroes of Iquique Monument.
SANTIAGO, Chile (Oct. 24, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, middle, and Rear Adm. James Aiken, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, left, listen to the history of the Heroes of Iquique Monument in Santiago, Chile. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Alberto Soto and Adm. Samuel Paparo speak on the bridge wing of the Chilean frigate CNS Almirante Riveros (FF 18) during a replenishment-at-sea exercise.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Alberto Soto, commander, Chilean Naval Operations, left, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speak on the bridge wing of the Chilean frigate CNS Almirante Riveros (FF 18) during a replenishment-at-sea exercise. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Alberto Soto and Adm. Samuel Paparo speak on the bridge wing of the Chilean frigate CNS Almirante Riveros (FF 18) during a replenishment-at-sea exercise.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 25, 2022) Chilean Navy Vice Adm. Alberto Soto, commander, Chilean Naval Operations and Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speak on the bridge wing of the Chilean frigate CNS Almirante Riveros (FF 18) during a replenishment-at-sea exercise. Paparo visited Chile to underscore the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)

Paparo paid respect at the Heroes of Iquique Monument in Santiago, before traveling to Valparaiso Naval Base where he visited the Chilean Navy Headquarters, Naval Academy, Directorate of Maritime Operations of the Coast Guards (DIRSOMAR) and the Naval War College.

While at the Naval War College, Paparo spoke with midgrade and senior officers about the principles of leadership, solidarity of the sea services, the changing nature of warfare at sea, and regional threats and shared concerns.

Paparo embarked the Chilean frigate CNS Almirante Riveros (FF-18) to observe at-sea drills, including replenishment-at-sea, general quarters, and firefighting. He recognized the professionalism and espirit de corps of the crew led by the commanding officer, Cmdr. Jose Penaranda.

The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.

 

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