NEWPORT, R.I. - U.S. Naval War College faculty and staff leveraged their knowledge and expertise to educate embarked international and U.S. Navy personnel in operational planning aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), April 29 – May 5.
The NWC team provided readiness and advancing instruction to more than 20 embarked officers from 10 partner nations in support of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment. The deployment includes an unprecedented Embarked International Staff (EIS) program aimed at improving interoperability, increasing proficiency, and building trust among partner nation maritime forces.
Nations participating in the EIS program included Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“We were excited to share with, and learn from, our partner nations this week as part of the Southern Seas 2024,” stated Lisa Marie Kerr, Ed.D., associate professor at NWC. “The opportunity to contribute to the embarked international staff’s experience on the USS George Washington is an honor.”
In providing the educational foundation to conduct detailed operational planning at sea, the NWC instructional team focused on Navy Planning Process (NPP) fundamentals, team formation, working in a multinational environment, and humanitarian assistance via a tabletop exercise.
Concepts presented during these initial four days of Southern Seas 2024 further developed officers’ professional competencies and intellectual skills for a competitive edge in evolving security environments.
“Our strategies involved fostering their formation and development as a team, raising considerations for multicultural communications, and elevating questions they could use to refine plans,” said Sean Carroll, associate professor, NWC. “We also emphasized that their success depended on their ability to work as a team, not as individuals.”
The embarked officers will continue their education in maritime interoperability at a self-guided pace while circumnavigating South America. At the end of Southern Seas 2024, they will be rejoined by a subsequent NWC instructional team who will reembark George Washington to evaluate the efficacy of the EIS program following port visits, key leader engagements and joint military exercises.
Southern Seas 2024 marks the 10th mission to the continent of South America since 2007 and the third voyage involving George Washington. The aircraft carrier also conducted Southern Seas 2008 and Southern Seas 2015, all aimed at fostering goodwill, strengthening maritime partnerships, countering threats, and building teams.
The varied missions of Southern Seas are part of USSOUTHCOM’s Enduring Promise Initiative seeking to increase interoperability with partner nation maritime forces and to reflect the United States’ enduring promise of friendship, partnership, and solidarity with the Americas.
The EIS Program represents a singular accomplishment, assembling international officers and an operating crew aboard a U.S. vessel on a scale outside the scope of NATO in an effort to solidify USSOUTHCOM’s relationship with its neighbors in the Southwestern hemisphere.
NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.