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The visit to the "Submarine Capital of the World" was part of a continued engagement with the Algerian Navy in support of U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM) Theater Security Cooperation (TSC).
While at SUBASE, the four naval officers from the Northern African country were briefed on submarine rescue operations, toured Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Hampshire (778) and visited various training simulators, including the Submarine Piloting and Navigation (SPAN) Trainer, Damage Control Wet Trainer and Virtual Submarine Watchstanding (VESUB) Trainer. While in New England, the officers, who spoke French and received information through a translator, also visited the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Bath Iron Works in Maine.
"Algeria has one of the most capable navies on the continent of Africa, having much overlap between theirs and our missions in the Mediterranean," said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew R. Lane, Naval Attaché, Algeria, who coordinated the trip. "We have taken the opportunity to open the engagement door along the submarine front, specifically, we are discussing the overall maintenance philosophy of the U.S. submarine force, how it affects our operational requirements and how we maintain operational proficiency of the crews while our submarines are in extended shipyard periods."
"We enjoyed a very productive discussion with the Algerian Navy's senior Submarine Officers. They were very interested in the way we manage submarine maintenance and our focus on operational availability," said Capt. Frank Lowery, the Engineering and Readiness Officer for Submarine Group Two, who led a briefing on the submarine force. "We also discussed submarine escape and rescue with a focus on the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office, ISMERLO, and our interface with that organization."
According to the AFRICOM posture statement, TSC programs remain the cornerstone of the strategy of Active Security and promote common security through persistent engagement. These programs build lasting relationships, promote common interests, and enhance partner capabilities for providing safe and secure environments. Cooperative security efforts provide for essential peacetime and contingency access and infrastructure, and improve information sharing. TSC programs are vital to AFRICOM's efforts in support of U.S. foreign policy objectives.
