An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

U.S. Southern Command

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  About    -  About Main             
  -  Area of Responsibility             
  -  Leadership             
  -  SOUTHCOM Components and Units             
  -  History             
  -  SOUTHCOM Inspector General 
-  Commander's Priorities    -  Commander's Priorities Main             
  -  Strengthen Partnerships      -  Theater Maintenance Partnership Initiative (TMPI) 
  -  Counter Threats             
  -  Build Our Team 
-  Media    -  Media Main             
  -  News             
  -  Press Releases             
  -  Photos             
  -  Videos             
  -  Speeches | Transcripts             
  -  Special Coverage             
  -  SOUTHCOM Podcast 
-  USAG-M / Military-Family Services    -  U.S. Army Garrison-Miami      -  Equal Employment Opportunity Office 
  -  Overview of Services at SOUTHCOM             
  -  About the SOUTHCOM Installation and Local Community             
  -  Miami Family and MWR      -  Army Community Services             
    -  Child, Youth and School Services             
    -  Leisure Travel Services             
    -  Fitness Center 
  -  Visiting SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Health Clinic SOUTHCOM             
  -  Hurricane Preparedness Info             
  -  Conference Center of the Americas             
  -  Theater Clearance Info             
  -  SOUTHCOM Chaplain             
  -  TEAM SOUTHCOM - Total Engagement for All Members of U.S. Southern Command             
  -  Logistics Readiness Center-Miami             
  -  Public Notice – Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Military Housing Development             
  -  SHARP (SAPR) 
-  Newcomers    -  Newcomers Main             
  -  Sponsor Request             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM             
  -  Army Newcomers             
  -  Navy Newcomers             
  -  Air Force Newcomers             
  -  Marine Corps Newcomers             
  -  Coast Guard Newcomers             
  -  Reserve Newcomers             
  -  Civilian Newcomers             
  -  Contractor Newcomers             
  -  Family Member Newcomers             
  -  Newcomers to Overseas Locations in SOUTHCOM 
-  Work With Us    -  Employment | Careers             
  -  Public / Private Cooperation             
  -  Operational Contract Support             
  -  SOUTHCOM Industry Engagement 
-  FOIA    -  FOIA Main             
  -  How to file A FOIA Request             
  -  FOIA Fees and Exemptions             
  -  Your FOIA Rights             
  -  ​FOIA Reading Room 
-  Contact    -  Contact SOUTHCOM             
  -  Community Requests             
  -  FAQ             
  -  Contact SOUTHCOM Inspector General             
  -  Directions to SOUTHCOM 

HomeMediaNews

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# U.S. 4th Fleet, Peru, Complete Multi-national Silent Forces Exercise

By U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs 

                CALLAO, Peru  –              
SIFOREX, conducted Sept. 19-24, is a Peruvian-hosted naval exercise that focuses on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) proficiency. It provides a unique opportunity for naval forces to conduct ASW operations against multiple submarines in a complex environment. 

The primary focus of SIFOREX is ASW operations, but the exercise also provided events in anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and submarine escape and rescue (SMEREX).  A ship rider exchange was also conducted during the exercise allowing countries to participate in operations on each other’s respective ships.

Participating U.S forces included USS Mustin (DDG 89) with two embarked MH-60R helicopters from the “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771), one P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 9, as well as staff from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40.

Peruvian forces included four ships, two submarines, two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters. In addition, Colombia and Mexico both provided ships and helicopters, while Australia, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, and Spain, sent exercise observers. 

"This exercise served as an excellent training opportunity for my crew," said Cmdr. Corey D. Barksdale, commanding officer of Columbia. "It isn't often we have the opportunity to train and hone our skills with diesel submarines, surface, and air assets from partner nations. Learning how to operate together in a controlled environment gives us the tools and knowledge we need to be successful in real-world operations. I am incredibly proud of what my team was able to accomplish."

Units accomplished training objectives in command and control, ASW, and ASuW using different scenarios. During these scenarios, situations were simulated to train submarine units in evasion procedures against surface and air units, improve contact classification and attack procedures under different threats, and train in search, detection, tracking, classification, and attack against surface targets. 

“ASW is an important mission set for the P-8 Poseidon aircraft,” said Lt. Cmdr. Dan Krier, officer in charge of the VP-9 detachment. “SIFOREX gave us the chance to have contact time on live submarines, and also to complete advanced qualifications and operational readiness assessments for the crew.”  

The exercise improved overall interoperability and readiness between participating naval forces. It served as a valuable training opportunity for ships, aircraft, submarines, and staffs.

SIFOREX has been a routine exercise since 2001, becoming a biennial exercise in 2006, occurring every even year since. The exercise was not conducted in 2020 and was rescheduled to 2021 to coincide with UNITAS LXII and the Peruvian bicentennial.

USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, fortify the ability of U.S. forces to work together with partner nations, and build enduring partnerships with the ultimate goal of enhancing regional security and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

C4FUSSOUTHCOMU.S. 4th FleetUSNAVSOChile