WEB SPECIAL - SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME?

At the end of last year the former HMS Sheffield was commissioned into service with the Chilean Navy as the FFG Almirante Williams. Here, Iain Ballantyne talks to the Commanding Officer of the warship, Captain Charles Le May, about what his warship has been doing since arriving in Chile at the beginning of 2004.

Above: FFG Almirante Williams at sea, with Cogar helicopter landing on (Chilean Navy). Below: Captain Le May on the bridge of his ship during FOST training (Photo copyright (c) Nigel Andrews, 2004).

Can you sum up what it means for the Chilean Navy to welcome the FFG Almirante Williams to the fleet's Order of Battle?

"Williams is the first step in the renovation of surface units, which are reaching the end of their operational lives. After many years a new ship has arrived, with new technology, new systems, new training. In any navy this is a significant development."

How well have the sailors who crew the Almirante Williams knitted together with the ship?

"Actually, very well and, in fact, even better than I expected. In spite of the language barrier between the British trainers and themselves, my crew found working with the RN was the proper way to acquire the knowledge and expertise in order to operate the ship safely. However, most were experienced operating former Royal Navy ships, like the Leander Class and County Class."

Looking back, what were the highlights of the process of acquiring the former-Sheffield and her transformation to the FFG Almirante Williams?

"The overall process had four very defined phases. Firstly, there was the start of the operational and maintenance courses at different shore establishments of the Royal Navy for quite a large number of the ship's company, followed by the arrival of the whole crew in Plymouth at the end of July 2003. Secondly, there was the revival of all equipment and systems, from "cold iron" state to fully operational as they are now. Thirdly, there was the sea training with the RN's Flag Officer Sea Training for 10 weeks, culminating in a successful final inspection on December 11 last year. And finally, there was the 'back home' journey across the Atlantic, which ended with an exciting reception in our homeport of Valparaíso, where all our relatives and friends were gathered on the pier. It was the finale of a nine-month deployment, which had involved a lot of hard work from my sailors."

How difficult was FOST? Did you take any training techniques and lessons back that will be applied across the Chilean fleet?

"FOST was a tough experience, especially when it is borne in mind that the Chilean Navy wished for a standard British naval training package, with RN standards. Our goal was to achieve those standards. Language was the first and toughest barrier, especially for our ratings. The outstanding capabilities and professionalism of my crew permitted us to overcome those barriers. The final, 'strong' SATISFACTORY assessment, achieved at the end of FOST gives testimony to that. Both the ship's sailors and myself feel a deep sense of pride. All lessons learned have been applied across our units, especially with regard to those topics in which the experience of the Royal Navy in recent conflicts comes through.

That knowledge is invaluable considering that the last time our ships received this kind of training was just under 20 years ago. Actually, we had four officers of the Chilean Navy Training Centre embarked with us and one was posted as Liaison with FOST throughout our training period in the UK. Even though the training process conducted by CENTARM in our country demands high standards as well, those new experiences will help to improve them and make a difference. We recognise that the most important part of our Navy is its men, women and their training."

Having concluded something like FOST, do you feel the ship can handle anything thrown at her?

"As Commanding Officer I feel very confident in the training level achieved. I perceive that my crew operate the ship safely, with personnel safety first and material safety afterwards. Tactically, I feel that we can handle anything, anytime. Off course there is much room for improvement, and we work hard on these subjects everyday. The training for war is a never-ending process and we know it."

What course did your voyage home to Chile take?

"We followed an Atlantic route with stops in Islas Canarias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Puerto Belgrano, Argentina. We made passage through the Magellan Straits, with Punta Arenas the first stop in Chile. In Puerto Montt the Chilean Navy officially received the ship, with the presence of Commander-in-Chief Admiral Miguel Vergara. On January 27 and after more than a month at sea, the ship was welcomed into Valparaiso."

What lies ahead for the Almirante Williams...from an operational perspective?

"The ship was incorporated into the Escuadra Nacional, the Surface Squadron, and has been taking part in every operational period at sea scheduled by the Commander of Naval Operations. We can expect our duties to take us from Arica to Puerto Williams, the latter being the southernmost village in the world."

And, secondly, what has happened in terms of further modifications and training?

"A short term modification involved making our Command and Control System (CACS) compatible with the rest of the surface units, which are equipped with the Chilean-designed C2 system SP-100 "Imagen", in order to ensure inter-operability. Now both systems are 'talking fluently'. Something similar happened with the communication systems. Medium-term modifications will incorporate some weapons systems, in order to improve our offensive strength mainly in Anti Surface Warfare. When it comes to training, the ship has been following a plan designed by CENTARM for ships with work-up period completed."

When will that whole process of making the Williams a totally integrated surface unit be completed?

"It is planned that it will be completed in two or three years' time."

Will she then be the Flagship of the Chilean fleet?

"That depends on new acquisitions as part of the renovation of fleet. That is a high level decision. However, we could be a candidate."

What kind of life ahead do you anticipate for the Almirante Williams?

"I personally have the feeling that as, with the two other ships that have served in the Chilean Navy under this name, this ship will have a 'good star' that will guide her destiny and future journeys. She is an excellent vessel, with a good spirit, and, as we all know, this is the foundation for a great life."

Any final thoughts?

"I would like to take the opportunity that your prestigious magazine is giving to me, to express on behalf of my whole crew, a deep gratitude to all the people that made this enterprise possible, especially the men and women of Royal Navy. For all the ship's company, this has been an unforgettable, personal and professional experience. We feel we left real friends in the UK, who made us feel at home for more than nine months.

I'm very sure that the time spent in the UK strengthened the relationship and links that both nations have historically enjoyed via their navies, from Admiral Cochrane to the present day."

For previous articles on the Almirante Williams see the November 2003 and February 2004 editions of WARSHIPS IFR.