U.S.-Colombia Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative Deployment Closing Ceremony
Vice Adm. Orlando Grisales, Colombian Navy Chief of Staff for Naval Operations, presents a Colombian Navy award to a Sailor assigned to Colombian Navy Submarine ARC Pijao during an award ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. ARC Pijao successfully completed Colombia’s 2023 Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) deployment to the U.S. East Coast. DESI, established in 2001 by U.S. Fleet Forces Command, is an international program headed by Commander, Submarine Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet, which works to enhance the Navy's capability to operate with diesel-electric submarines by partnering with South American navies. This was the Colombian Navy’s 13th DESI deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Fischer)