In the News: HSV2 Swift visits Nuoakchott, Mauritania

HSV Swift visits Nuoakchott, Mauritania

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, November 5, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — By Commander, US Naval Forces Europe-Commander, US Naval Forces Africa/Commander, US Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

High-Speed Vessel 2 Swift (HSV 2) pulled into Nuoakchott, Mauritania, Nov. 5, to conduct a series of military-to-military interactions and theater security cooperation engagements.

While in port crewmembers of the Swift and the commander of the task force Swift is assigned to will host tours and receptions, as well as participate in meetings designed to further the maritime relationship between both nations’ navies. The US Ambassador to Mauritania, Mr. Mark Boulware, will also co-host a reception on Swift.

“This port visit is a further step towards our mutual cooperation and interaction,” said Capt. Martin Beck, Commander, Task Force 368. “It’s been over a year since our last interaction [small training team] with the Mauritanian Navy, and we are excited to be back and working together again.”

There is no official record of a US military vessel visiting Mauritania in recent history and there has only been limited Navy interaction in the last several years, usually only involving small two to three person training teams or delegations.

Swift, a high speed vessel with a hybrid crew of US Navy sailors and civilian mariners is homeported in Naval Station Ingleside, Texas and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va. and is currently on a regularly sechedule deployment in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
SOURCE
US Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

Liberian President Visits APS Swift for Farewell Reception

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift for an evening reception honoring the conclusion of the ship's two-week Medical Civil Action Project in Monrovia, September 15, 2009.

For the past two weeks, the three medical teams embarked on APS Swift have been visiting hospitals and clinics around the capital city providing free care and medicine. Sirleaf thanked the teams for their compassion and dedication.

"You have treated over 2,000 people in the short time you've been here," Sirleaf said. "You have brought to us the partnership of caring and sharing. The presence of Africa Partnership Station Swift and the work you have done here is out of concern for humanity. You are here as partners with the added dimension of caring, and for that I would like to extend a very great thank you and my sincere wish that you return soon."

In addition to the medical civil action project, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three began one of two building projects which will keep them in Liberia for the next four months.

"Africa Partnership Station is the way we show our commitment to Liberia and the region," said Brooks A. Robinson, Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia. "We are here as partners and look forward to more opportunities to strengthen the ties between our countries and our peoples."

APS is a multinational initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to foster cooperation between the U.S., European and African partners as a way to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

Swift, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship has supported various partnership-building operations and training throughout much of the world, including APS.

In the News: Swift Relations in Liberia

Liberian President Accepts Project Handclasp Donation from HVS Swift

Twenty-four pallets of Project Handclasp supplies were accepted on behalf of the nation by the President of Liberia during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, September 4, 2009.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, along with Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia Brooks A. Robinson and acting Minister of Liberian Health and Social Welfare Vivian Cherue, were guests of honor at the ceremony.

Twenty of the donated pallets contained high nutrition meals as part of Kids Against Hunger, a program with a mission to reduce the number of hungry children in the U.S. and throughout the world.

"We begin today by officially handing over 144,000 meals for Liberian school children, and four pallets of medical supplies for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare," said Robinson. "These items were delivered through Project Handclasp by the HSV Swift, an Africa Partnership Station (APS) ship which is now docked in the Freeport of Monrovia."

High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) will be in Liberia for two weeks as part of APS. Medical teams based on the ship will conduct primary care health screenings, maternal and child services and education, dental exams and education, eye examinations and distribution of prescription glasses. The teams will also provide veterinary services and education, biomedical repair education and advanced lab training. Navy Seabees will construct a new medical ward and laundry at another local hospital.

"Liberia needs effective partnerships that are characterized by continuous and frank consultations, information sharing, clear rules of engagement and conflict resolution, transparent transactions, and explicit incentives," said Chereu. "We look forward to working with you on more projects, and from the bottom of my heart I want to again profoundly express appreciation to you for the extraordinary assistance you will provide the Liberian people."

Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Swift is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship has supported various partnership-building operations and training throughout much of the world, including APS.

APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

Photo: MONROVIA, Liberia - President of Liberia Ellen Johnson (left) and Charge d'Affaires of the American Embassy Brooks Robinson (right) cut a ribbon during a formal ceremony in Monrovia to accept a Project Handclasp donation, September 4, 2009. Twenty-four pallets of high-nutrition meals and medical supplies were delivered by Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift (HSV 2) at the beginning of a two-week port call to Monrovia. While in port, the ship will deploy medical personnel and Seabee teams on a number of humanitarian missions. APS, an international initiative led by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is aimed at improving maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa through training and other collaborative activities with African partner countries. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Dan Meaney)

Photos: Gold Crew in Jamaica, Nicaragua

I found these photos on a Navy PR site and thought you all might enjoy them:

BLUEFIELDS, Nicaragua (April 2, 2009) Lt. j.g. Gus Bennett, left, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jason Hatton and Operations Specialist 2nd Class Mike McMurry, assigned to the Gold Crew of high-speed vessel Swift (HSV-2), repaint the lines on a basketball court during a Southern Partnership Station community relations project in Bluefileds, Nicaragua. Southern Partnership Station is a training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Olay/Released)

DRAPERS, Jamaica (April 16, 2009) U.S. military service members assigned to high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2), Southern Partnership Station, and Beyond the Horizon 2009 clean and paint a schoolhouse during a community service project. Southern Partnership Station is a military to military training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. Beyond the Horizon is a humanitarian and civic assistance mission hosted by U.S. Southern Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball/Released)

Photo: Blue Crew Sailors in Gabon

GABON (Aug. 20, 2009) Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Howard T. LeRoy, foreground, and Ensign Michael P. Deasey, both assigned to the High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) carry medical supplies ashore to resupply Ngola village, a small, remote settlement on the Ogooue River in Gabon. The Project Handclasp delivery is part of an Africa Partnership Station Swift mission in the Gulf of Guinea. Africa Partnership Station is an international initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa to work with U.S., European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney/Released)

APS Arrives in Monrovia

Date: 09.02.2009
Posted: 09.02.2009 11:26

MONROVIA, Liberia – High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived at the port of Monrovia, Sept. 2, to conduct training and assistance programs as part of Africa Partnership Station.

Through Sept. 15, APS will conduct primary care/health screenings, maternal and child services education, dental extraction, dental health services, dental education, eye examination and distribution of prescribed eyeglasses, veterinary services and education, biomedical repair education and services and advance lab education at several Liberian medical facilities, including the John F. Kennedy Medical Center and Redemption Hospital.

During this deployment, APS will also construct two medical wards at the Redemption Hospital and begin working on the Liberian coast guard pier.

HSV 2 is carrying 144,000 meals provided by Kids Against Hunger International and basic medical supplies, which will be handed over at a Sept. 4 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Sinkor. Veterinary care and immunization will be provided at the Gibson School in Monrovia.

Project Hope volunteers, along with U.S. military medical professionals, will engage in peer-to-peer training with local national care practitioners while providing care to local Liberians.

Utilizing HSV 2, the APS staff will provide medical and training visits for African nations as part of U.S. Africa Command outreach. Trainers will include both civilians and military from the U.S., European and African nations, including nongovernmental organizations and other agencies of the U.S. government. APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

Swift, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. To learn more about Africa Partnership Station visit the APS website at www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.

APS Swift Sailors Paint Togo Clinic

Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

LOME, Togolese Republic, Aug 31, 2009 — Eight Sailors from Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift and 18 local Togolese helped paint a clinic in Lome, August 26, 2009.

High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2), which arrived August 24, is in port for a four-day visit in support of APS. The clinic was one of two community relations projects carried out by the crew while in Lome.

"We believe the crew was sent by God," said Kodjo Hessou, senior pastor at the Djidjole, Lome Assembly of God (AOG) church and clinic. "We've been praying for the rehabilitation of the clinic, and the arrival of the crew with the supplies seems like the answer to those prayers."

The clinic is one of six operated throughout the country by AOG and one of three in Lome. The clinics provide free or low-cost health care and medicine for more than 10,000 Togolese annually, regardless of religious affiliation. "The role of the church in the community is social as well as spiritual," said Hessou. "These clinics help the community and help us fulfill the social aspect of our mission. We cannot thank the crew of Swift enough. Their arrival here today has given us a boost in our energy which will help us to move forward and continue this work."

Lieutenant Commander Ronald L. Walker, officer-in-charge of Swift's military detachment, said projects like these are about meeting people and building relationships. "Our Sailors care about people and want to get out into the community," said Walker. "Whatever trust and goodwill we build today will help us achieve our operational objective of creating maritime safety and security in the region. And that is a great added benefit to something we want to do anyway."

APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

Swift, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo: Blue Crew Sailors in Gabon

NGOLA, Gabon (August 20, 2009) — Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Howard T. LeRoy (left), Joseph C. Sohlberg, Master of HSV Swift (center) and Ensign Michael P. Deasey (right) of High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) prepare two rigid hull inflatable boats to leave Ngola village, a remote settlement on the Ogooue river. The Sailors are from Africa Partnership Station Swift which made a Project Handclasp delivery to the village.

APS, Swift Deliver Medical Supplies to Remote Village in Gabon

Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs Print
NGOLA VILLAGE, Gabon, Aug 27, 2009 — Sailors from Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift made a unique, 45-mile, up-river trip from Port Gentil, Gabon aboard two rigid hull inflatable boats to deliver medical supplies to Ngola Village, August 20, 2009.

The two pallets of medical supplies replenished the three-cot medical clinic in the village with needed necessities to treat patients. Ngola, a settlement for workers of plantations which line the rivers banks, is without running water or electricity. Ngola village is lit only by fire.

There are no cars or motorcycles, as the wide and twisting Ogooue River is the only way in or out.

"We've been able to deliver medical, hygiene and other needed supplies to our partner countries throughout this deployment, but the trip to Ngola is unique," said Commander John D. Tolg, mission commander for APS Swift.

"The people here are truly isolated. They've carved a village out of the jungle along the riverbank, and with the exception of a few poured concrete buildings, I don't think life has changed much here in the past several hundred years."

APS is an international initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S., European, and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

During this deployment, High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) embarked over 40 Sailors from Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo for underway training in visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics and small boat handling. Swift, home ported in Norfolk, Virginia, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS.

Source: Africa Partnership Station

HSV-2 Swift Completes Training With Sailors From Six West African Countries

SEKONDI, Ghana – Forty-six Sailors from six West African countries recently completed maritime safety and security training aboard the Africa Partnership Station platform HSV-2 Swift.

APS is a multinational initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-and U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

"These Sailors worked together to create theater security for the Gulf of Guinea and develop the relationships that will help them work together in the future," said Chief Petty Officer Mate Willie J. Donald, embarked training team supervisor. "They were a great, well-prepared group of students, and the fact they came from six different countries and worked so well together is one of the things I found most impressive."

During six-weeks of intensive training, Sailors from Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo honed their skills in visit, board, search and seizure tactics and small boat instruction with an emphasis on coxswain and navigation training.

"Our trainers, our students, our crew and our partner countries have worked together in this continuing effort to build maritime domain awareness," said APS Swift's mission commander, Cmdr. John D. Tolg. "Placing the importance of the training in a larger context, the success of this six-week mission is a maritime professional pillar in meeting the [commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa 2009] commander's operational objective to build maritime safety and security throughout the region. I couldn't be happier with the results. "

For the students and the countries they represent, the results of the training will have an immediate impact."In our Navy, any of us can be called on to be a boarding officer," said Sub-Lt. Joseph Gura, a navigational officer in the Ghana Navy. "With the recent discovery and exploitation of oil in the waters just off the coast, there is an increase in the maritime traffic. This training really equipped me to be able to enhance my ship's ability to board and search other vessels as needed. "

Swift, home ported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS. To learn more about APS visit www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.

In the News: Community Relations in Jamaica

U.S., Jamaica Forces Rehabilitate School
Story Number: NNS090417-06
Release Date: 4/17/2009 4:54:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

DRAPERS, JAMAICA (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from Southern Partnership Station (SPS), along with Jamaica Defense Force servicemembers and Soldiers and Marines from Beyond the Horizon 2009, spent April 17 scraping and painting a school building to prepare it for classes resuming next week.

Twenty Sailors and Marines from the SPS team departed high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) early in the morning with brushes, water bottles and work clothes. After a short drive, they arrived at the school where they met with the other workers. Eight Soldiers and Marines from Beyond the Horizon 2009 drove from Kingston to participate. The paint was already on site so the teams cleared the building of desks and other furniture and prepared to paint.

Paint was mixed and walls were taped and soon the walls of the building were looking like new.

"During the ship's first visit here people came out and visited to see what could be done," said school principal Sandra Becca. "This building was constructed in 1951. The painters are providing a much needed face-lift."

The Drapers All Ages School teaches 196 students in grades 1-9.

Lunch was provided to the workers by school staff and was complemented by fresh mangos from a tree on the school grounds. Work was completed around four in the afternoon.

"It's always good to help people, especially young people," said Sublieutenant Anneka Thompson, a Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard officer who has been stationed aboard Swift since the first SPS port visit to Jamaica in January. "It's important to give back and create a safe and positive environment for learning."

The school rehabilitation is the final community relation project for SPS 2008-2009. During the course of the mission SPS has completed nine projects in five countries, involving over 140 volunteers. Projects included orphanage and hospital visits, painting schools, hosting a Sea Cadet day, and refurbishing a nursing home and community basketball court. Along with community relations events, SPS delivered 27,262 pounds of Project Handclasp donations valued at over $300,000. Project Handclasp is a Navy program that uses cargo space on Navy vessels to transport donated humanitarian goods to foreign ports.

Jamaica is the 12th and final port visit for SPS 2008-2009. Other countries visited were: El Salvador, Panama, Barbados, Colombia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus in the Caribbean and South America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the naval component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

Beyond the Horizon 2009 is a humanitarian and civic assistance mission hosted by SOUTHCOM.

In the News: Finishing Jamaican Mission

Fourth Fleet Commander Stresses SPS Achievement
Story Number: NNS090416-01
Release Date: 4/16/2009 5:20:00 AM


By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

PORT ANTONIO, Jamaica (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/ U.S. 4th Fleet, visited high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) and the Sailors and Marines of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) as they carried out their mission in Jamaica, April 15.

Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan's visit began with an awards ceremony followed by a question-and-answer session where he stressed the importance of missions such as SPS.

"These types of missions are becoming incredibly important in the Navy today," Kernan said. "You are the face of America in these countries and by working hand-in-hand with their defense forces you are building relationships and showing them what America stands for."

Afterwards, Kernan observed training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command and Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they instructed Jamaica Defense Force members in port security, boarding operations, small boat operations and junior enlisted leadership.

Over the last five months, SPS grew from a concept to a smooth-running reality.

"Like any good plan, things change when the plan is implemented," said Kernan. "But the ability of Sailors to adapt is what makes these missions so successful. I was incredibly impressed with the professionalism of the training team and the students. They had great communications with each other and both sides were benefiting from the interaction. It's been that way throughout the entire mission and our Sailors are having a great time because of it."

Jamaica is the 12th port visit for SPS. During the course of the mission, SPS also made port visits in El Salvador, Panama, Barbados, Nicaragua, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

The mission is coordinated through NAVSO/ 4th Fleet with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the naval component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, Theater Security Cooperation, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

In the News: SWIFT in Jamaica

Southern Partnership Station Begins Training in Jamaica
Story Number: NNS090415-19
Release Date: 4/15/2009 4:02:00 PM


By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

PORT ANTONIO, Jamaica (NNS) -- High-speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived in Jamaica for the last of two instruction evolutions and the final port visit for Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2008-2009.

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses April 14 with Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) members. The courses provide instruction in a variety of fields such as port security, physical security, boarding officer, small boat operations, small boat repair, urban raid tactics, armed sentry, search and rescue planning and junior enlisted leadership.

This last evolution is the 12th port visit for SPS. It follows the second visit to Nicaragua where 55 students were trained in armed sentry, boarding operations, outboard engine repair, martial arts and port and physical security. SPS members also spent a day in Nicaragua rehabilitating a neighborhood basketball court.

Other countries participating in single or multiple SPS training events over the last five months included El Salvador, Panama, Barbados, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the naval component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

U.S. 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM Area of Focus.

Southern Partnership Station Returns to Nicaragua

Release Date: 3/31/2009 11:03:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew Olay, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

BLUEFIELDS, Nicaragua (NNS) -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) anchored off the coast of Bluefields for the second time in as many months March 30 to begin a nine-day training mission during Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and South America. The mission is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

While in the area, training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group will be teaching courses to members of the Nicaraguan Navy and Marine Corps. The courses provide instruction in boarding team tactics, armed sentry operations, port security, martial arts and small boat engine repair. Cmdr. Christopher Barnes, mission commander for SPS, sees return visits such as this one to Nicaragua as being advantageous to the goals of the overall mission.

"Since we've been here once before, we now know what the needs are, and the trainers know what the needs are, so we can adapt our courseware to give [the Nicaraguans] what's required," said Barnes. Barnes added that returning to train the same students with whom the SPS team interacted during the first port call to Nicaragua will allow the level of training to be more advanced than before. "My expectations are even greater," Barnes said.

The final SPS visit to Nicaragua comes on the heels of a four-day training evolution in Cartagena, Colombia. While in Colombia, SPS instructors trained 124 students in a variety of topics such as combat lifesaving, nonlethal weapons and junior enlisted leadership principles.

The return visit to Nicaragua is the second-to-last stop for SPS, with a follow-on visit to Jamaica scheduled before Swift completes the SPS mission. In addition to prior visits to Nicaragua, Colombia and Jamaica, SPS had also twice visited Panama and Barbados. The mission also made single stops in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the naval component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.For more information on U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, go to http://www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.

In The News- Swift Providing 'International Aide'

U.S. Navy delivers water filters to Dominican Republic, Haiti
March 22, 2009

Santo Domingo.– The U.S. Navy is working with U.S.-based nonprofit International Aid during February, March and April to transport household drinking-water filters to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Ghana.

On February 27, Navy personnel delivered 100 filters from the USS Swift to Santo Domingo, for use in homes and schools. Since 2002, the Children’s Safe Water Alliance –founded by Rotary District 4060 and U.S. nonprofit Project Las Americas– has installed nearly 4,500 plastic filters and 14,500 of the original concrete biosand filters in more than 300 rural communities covering all of the provinces.

“Each day, nearly 100,000 Dominicans drink safe water from these filters,” Robert Hildreth, Children’s Safe Water Alliance founder, told America.gov. More than 150 U.S. and Canadian Rotary clubs and the Rotary Foundation have donated almost $1 million toward clean-water projects in the Dominican Republic, he added.

In the News: Finishing Project Handclasp

Southern Partnership Station Makes Final Project Handclasp Delivery
Story Number: NNS090312-36
Release Date: 3/12/2009 11:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (NNS) -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) completed its final Southern Partnership Station (SPS) Project Handclasp delivery here today with a shipment of walkers and bed sheets to a home for elderly retired nurses and boxes of medical supplies to a local military clinic.

Project Handclasp is a Navy program that uses space available on Navy ships to transport privately donated humanitarian good to foreign ports.

Today's delivery of supplies capped off an SPS community relations project during which team members spent two days refurbishing the Born Haven nursing home. In two days, they were able to paint and clean the interior of the house and provide some safety improvements such as rope fancywork on stairwell handrails.

"They made the place look great," said Sherry Ann Babb, a caretaker at the home. "Everything looks so much brighter and welcoming. The residents love it."

SPS team members have delivered Project Handclasp items in nearly every port. In Panama, Sailors delivered 22 pallets of medical supplies and handed out stuffed animals to orphans and patients in local children's hospitals. Team members delivered thousands of textbooks and five dialysis machines in Jamaica and distributed medical supplies in Colombia. Sailors also brought 100 water filtration systems to the Dominican Republic.

During the SPS mission, team members delivered more than 27,000 lbs. of Project Handclasp items valued at more than $300,000.

"The Project Handclasp events provide a lasting impact to the communities of the partner nation sailors and marines we have visited," said Cmdr. Chris Barnes, SPS mission commander. "Though Southern Partnership Station is primarily a training mission, these community involvement opportunities enable a greater return on investment for the time spent conducting them. We are making lasting friendships with the civilian leaders of these communities as well as the soldiers and sailors we teach."

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

For more information on SPS, go to www.navy.mil/local/cusns.

In the News: Swift in Barbados

Swift and Southern Partnership Station Returns to Barbados

Story Number: NNS090310-04

Release Date: 3/10/2009 12:40:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (NNS) -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) returned to Barbados March 9 to begin a 10-day training mission and complete the Barbados portion of Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

SPS's return was marked by an opening ceremony aboard Swift. Afterwards, instructors set out to various classrooms located on Swift and in local military facilities to begin instruction.

"We came out to teach them how to drive the boats and because of the training from our last visit here they were ready for the next course," said small boat instructor Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Albert Perret, from Franklin, La. "This time around, we are teaching waterborne security which focuses on formations and patrol geared toward how to protect their home port and ships.

They were very motivated about the class and eager to learn. I think they will take away a lot from this course."

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses today with 127 students from the Royal Barbados Defense Forces and member nations of the Regional Security System (which includes Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines). The courses provide instruction in waterborne security, port security, leadership, instructor training, generator maintenance, search and rescue planning, combat patrol and urban raid tactics.

The final SPS visit to Barbados comes on the heels of an eight-day training evolution in the Dominican Republic. While there SPS instructors trained 80 students in a variety of topics including small boat operations, Marine Corps martial arts and port security.

The return to Barbados is the ninth stop for SPS. Afterwards SPS is scheduled to visit Colombia, Nicaragua and Jamaica.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the Naval Component Command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, Theater Security Cooperation, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

For more information on U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. Fourth Fleet, go to www.navy.mil/local/cusns.

In the News: Translated article from Panorma Diario (Santo Domingo)

This reads a bit rough, but it is a translated (Spanish to English) front page article from the Panorama Diario of Santo Domingo:

9 March 2009
Santo Domingo. The Staff Directorate of Navy military informs us that they concluded successful military exercises onboard the Catamaran HSV-2 Swift of the United States Navy on Friday 6 of March, in which they participated a group of listed officials and of Navy military.

The training exercises were made from 22 February to March 7, with one active and outstanding participation of listed officials and of Navy military. The event closing took place in the Don port Diego, with a speech of order pronounced by Rear Admiral Luis R. Lee Ballester, in representation of the Chief of Staff of Navy military, Homero Vice-admiral Luis Single Lajara.

In his brief speech, Rear Admiral Lee Ballester, Assistant Manager of General Staff of Navy military, emphasized the skill, capacity and professionalism observed by the members of the naval institution that participated. He also had words of praise for the instructors and the personnel onboard the ship, especially for the gentlemen Rolland Bullen, Michael Shimez and the Lieutenant Colonel Jerharld Burgoa, Ordered of Businesses, General Consul of the United States and Comandante of the Consultative Group of Asistencia Militar (USMAA), in the country, respectively.

Rear Admiral Lee Ballester said that these periodic trainings the Dominican military are put under, especially those of Navy military on the part of North American instructors, “they will serve so that the personnel of our military institutions obtain the necessary capacity and knowledge, to be able to also face the threats that not only set a trap to us as a country, our region”.

Also present was the Vice-admiral Julio Caesar Ventura Bayonet, Undersecretary of State of the Armed Forces, Navy military, in representation of the Secretary of State the Armed Forces, General Lieutenant Piloto Pedro Rafael Rock Antonio, F.A.D., (DEM). Also in attendance in the closing of the training on board of the HSV-2 Swift were Lieutenant Colonel Fred Fagan, Military attache' of the United States and the Commander Christopher Barnes, Commander of the mission.

In the News: Swift in DR

Southern Partnership Station in Dominican Republic

Release Date: 2/27/2009
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (NNS) -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived in Dominican Republic Feb. 25 for a ten-day training mission during Southern Partnership Station (SPS). Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command (ETC), Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses today with students from the Dominican Republic Navy and Marines. The courses provide instruction in small boat maintenance and repair, small boat coxswain, port security and martial arts.

The first mission of the day was to do a complete turnover of ETC and Swift military support team personnel. Swift has two military crews, blue and gold, that rotate duty aboard the ship every four months. After all the new members of the SPS team were settled in, an opening ceremony was conducted and training began in classrooms set up on Swift and at local military facilities.

"The mission has been outstanding, we've trained hundreds and hundreds of students, learned a great deal about our partner nations and their militaries, and we have forged strong relationships that will last well into the future." said Cmdr. Chris Barnes, SPS mission commander. "I think it's important to change out the training teams from time to time as it allows us to bring in fresh instructors with new excitement about their opportunities to train and learn from our partner nations."

The Dominican Republic training evolution comes after the first SPS stop to Nicaragua. During a weeklong visit to El Bluff, Nicaragua the SPS team trained with Nicaraguan sailors in port security, waterborne operations, martial arts, small boat repair and maritime interdiction. They also enjoyed a visit and question and answer session with Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter and U.S. Southern Command Deputy Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears.

The Dominican Republic is the eighth stop for SPS. Afterwards SPS is scheduled to visit Barbados, Colombia, Nicaragua and Jamaica.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the naval component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment.

Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

In the News: SPS in Nicaragua

Southern Partnership Station Arrives in Nicaragua

Release Date: 2/17/2009 12:49:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

EL BLUFF, Nicaragua (NNS) -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived in Nicaragua Feb. 16 for the first of two instructional evolutions during Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

SPS is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region. SPS is comprised of Navy training and support teams, Marine Corps training teams, foreign naval officers and civilian contract mariners on a Military Sealift Command platform.

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses today with students from the Nicaraguan Navy. The courses provide instruction in maritime interdiction officer, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, small boat maintenance and repair, small boat basic coxswain skills and port security.

Training began today in classrooms set up on Swift and at the local military facilities in El Bluff, Nicaragua.

"I am the lead instructor for thirteen students in small boat maintenance and repair," said Construction Mechanic 1st Class Kyle Taylor, from Axtell, Texas. "We cover outboard motor and inboard engine repair, fiberglass and metal hull repair, electrical systems troubleshooting and lower unit repair. By the time the students are done, they will know the theories behind the course and they will have repaired two of their own outboard motors."

The visit to Nicaragua comes two days after the conclusion of the second SPS visit to Panama. In two visits, Swift transited the Panama Canal four times and spent nearly five weeks in Panama City. During that time, SPS training teams instructed 188 Panamanian service members in a wide array of topics including junior and senior leadership, waterborne security, basic coxswain, small boat repair, martial arts, nonlethal weapons, port security, combat lifesaving and armed sentry.

Nicaragua is the seventh stop for SPS. After Nicaragua, SPS is scheduled to visit the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Colombia and Jamaica.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the Naval Component Command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, Theater Security Cooperation, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

Images of the SWIFT: Southern Partnership Station (SPS)

Good afternoon all,

I stumbled across some great images of the SWIFT and the Blue Crew during their current deployment with Southern Partnership Station. Hope you all enjoy!

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Jan. 11, 2009) High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrives in Bridgetown with Southern Partnership Station to begin training service members of the Royal Barbados Defense Force. Southern Partnership Station is a training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball/Released)

PANAMA CITY, Panama (Dec. 17, 2008) Sailors maneuver a small boat away from high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) in preparation for small boat operation instruction to Panamanian sailors during Southern Partnership Station. Swift is the primary platform for Southern Partnership Station, a military to military training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Jan. 13, 2009) Students from the Royal Barbados Defense Force crosses a Southern Partnership Station small boat in order to board high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) for training. Southern Partnership Station is a training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball/Released)







CARTAGENA, Colombia (Jan. 27, 2009) Sailors assigned to high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) participate in a Project Handclasp donation at a local community center during Southern Partnership Station. Project Handclasp is a Navy program that uses space on navy ships to transport donated goods. Southern Partnership Station is a training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball/Released)

CARTAGENA, Colombia (Jan. 26, 2009) Information Systems Technician 1st Class Benjamin Mendoza, right, translates for Cmdr. Chris Barnes, mission commander for Southern Partnership Station during a tour of high speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) for members of the Colombian National Navy. Swift is the primary platform for Southern Partnership Station, a training mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball/Released)

In the News: SWIFT's Mission in South America

February 07,2009

Navy Ships Offer Training, Deliver Supplies to the Americas

By Jacquelyn S. Porth

The U.S. Navy is pursuing an active partnership with nations throughout the Americas, and a tour by the USS Swift is one of its most recent manifestations.

The high-speed vessel has been to Panama twice since the beginning of the year, training students in the National Air and Maritime Service and the national police. U.S. Navy personnel have taught courses on waterborne security, small boat navigation and repair as well as port security. After completing instruction, the Panamanians will know how to conduct seaborne escort missions and high-speed evasive maneuvers.

The U.S. sailors also offered a life-saving course and distributed $182,000 in medical supplies, surgical instruments and clothing.

During an earlier stop in Colombia, Swift sailors and members of the Colombian navy together spruced up an old school in the coastal city of Cartagena, scraping and painting the walls for an excited group of kindergarten and elementary school children. For some American sailors, it was an opportunity to break away from typical tourist diversions, form new friendships and make a difference in a local community.

Before the school rehab, Swift crew members turned over a ton of medical supplies to a Colombian charity for distribution. Under the Project Handclasp program, U.S. naval vessels transport donated humanitarian goods in unused cargo space and deliver them at scheduled ports of call.

Training was also offered on how to use nonlethal weapons to control crowds - a fancy way to describe improving security through the use of pepper spray and tight anti-riot personnel formations.

PERSONNEL TRAIN FOR DISASTER, TOURIST PROTECTION

The Swift's five-month deployment to seven countries is part of a broader program known as the Southern Partnership Station, or, in Navy parlance, "SPS." Every year the Navy sends ships to Central America, South America and the Caribbean to participate with partner nations in missions aimed at developing and testing the ability of civil and maritime services to respond to any number of situations.

Sharing expertise is an invaluable way to promote military-to-military communications, in the view of the U.S. military. Such sharing also improves regional security needed to deal with transnational challenges, such as a colossal disaster, that are too great for a single nation to handle.

During the Swift's visit to Barbados, the focus was on subjects including harbor and airport security and small arms marksmanship. The Barbadian Royal Defense Forces were joined by personnel from Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Lucia for the port-security portion of the training - a subject that is crucial for the tourism industry. The program generates a beneficial ripple effect as newly trained personnel go back home and set up their own training programs.

Hands-on training in Barbados and aboard the Swift included pier, vehicle and container inspections and warehouse profiling, as well as anti-terrorism techniques.

The Swift still has scheduled port calls in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It is carrying personnel from the Navy's Expeditionary Training Command, the Naval Investigation Service Security Training and Assessment Team, and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group as well as many information system technicians to help install and train partner nations on a new computer-based vessel identification program.

During a stop in Port Antonio this year, the Jamaican Defense Force talked about counternarcotics missions and real-world problems. Swift teams were able to tailor training to the Jamaicans' specific needs.

In 2008, the Swift stopped in El Salvador, where combat leadership training was one of a number of specialized offerings. Swift Commander Christopher Barnes said the training experience was meant to build lasting partnerships, establish enduring relationships and enhance maritime security.

The Southern Partnership Station initiative operates under the direction of the U.S. Southern Command based in Miami. The command oversees U.S. contacts in 31 countries in the region.
The commander of the U.S. 4th Fleet said SPS 2009 "provides an excellent opportunity to facilitate cooperation, interaction and communication between regional partners' civil and maritime services." Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan said side-by-side training with partners will help build "strong relationships, improve interoperability and enhance regional maritime security."

http://newsblaze.com/story/20090207070036tsop.nb/topstory.html

In the News: HSV 2 SWIFT in Panama

Found this video that talks about the mission of the HSV 2 SWIFT (while in Panama) that I thought you all may enjoy.




Southern Partnership Station Returns To Panama
(NAVY.MIL 03 FEB 09)
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball

PANAMA CITY, Panama -- High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) returned here yesterday for the second of two instruction evolutions in Panama duringSouthern Partnership Station (SPS).

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region.

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses today with students from the Panamanian National Air and Maritime Service and the Panamanian National Police. The courses provide instruction in a variety of topics such as waterborne security, small boat navigation, basic coxswain, armed sentry, pier sentry, close quarters battle techniques, junior and senior enlisted leadership principles, boarding team member, port security and small boat repair.

Training began Feb. 3 in classrooms set up on Swift and at Panamanian facilities. "Overall we'll be teaching sixteen students waterborne security and coxswain techniques," said small boat instructor Hull Technician 1stClass Jack Yates, from Chicago. "The students are going to learn highspeed maneuvers and handling of boats in high pressure situations in order to facilitate high-value asset protection such as security escorts or picket boat maneuvering."

The return to Panama came two days after the week-long SPS visit to Cartagena, Colombia. While there, instructors taught members of the Colombian National Navy, National Marines and National Police about nonlethal weapons, port security and leadership. SPS also refurbished a local primary school and dropped off Project Handclasp medical supplies to a local community center. Project Handclasp is a Navy program that utilizes extra cargo space on Navy ships to transport privately donated humanitarian goods to foreign ports.

Panama is the sixth stop for SPS. After Panama, SPS is scheduled to visit Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Colombia and Jamaica. The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces SouthernCommand/U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests.

As the Naval Component Command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating inthe Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training. Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

Tax Time Made Easy (and free!) With Military One Source

If you have not yet filed your taxes, TaxCut Basic Online by H&R Block is free to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members and their families through the Military One Source website!

To access this free service provided by the Department of Defense, you must be registered and logged into the Military One Source Web site. Making a Military One Source account is easy and free. Just visit Military One Source and register (the site will ask for your branch, active-duty status, state and duty station. Norfolk is on page 2 of the list!).

Once your account is created, you can click on the Money link and then on Tax Filing Services. Once there, you will see a link to Go To TaxCut.

This will take you to the H&R Block site, where you will have to make another login (click on New User side - Get Started). Once this is complete, you can start entering your tax information!

You can file both Federal and State taxes here (although you may have to print and mail the state one - I don't think it will let you file electronically). There is a toll-free, 24-hour help line if you have questions or need assistance!

Hope this helps you all save some money! Sadly, I found this information AFTER I filed...and Jackson-Hewitt cost me $200 to file! Ah well...Lessons learned... ;)

All my Best,

Stacy

In the News: SWIFT Visits Colombia

U.S. Navy, Marine Corps Training Teams Arrive in Colombia
Posted On: Jan 27 2009 8:35AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Ball
Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

CARTAGENA, Colombia (Jan. 26, 2009) – High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) arrived here Sunday for the first of two instruction evolutions in Colombia during Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission goal is primarily information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region.

Training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group began their courses Monday with students from the Colombian Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and National Police. The courses provide instruction in a variety of topics such as junior and senior enlisted leadership, port security and nonlethal weapons.

Training began Monday in classrooms set up on Swift and at Colombian military facilities.

"We’re teaching about 45 students about nonlethal weapons techniques,” said Marine Sgt. Geormon Elder from Douglasville, Ga. “They’ll learn about different ways of dealing with crowds and mobs. We’ll cover riot formations, hand to hand techniques, riot batons, crowd control munitions and pepper spray. The students will leave with a better understanding of crowd control and crowd dynamics, which helps promote safety and security.”

The Colombia stop comes on the heels of the SPS visit to Bridgetown, Barbados. While there, instructors taught 96 members of Barbados Royal Defense Forces and servicemembers from St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada on maritime topics including small arms marksmanship, port security, small boat repair and small boat coxswain techniques.

Colombia is the fifth stop for SPS. After Colombia, SPS is scheduled to visit Panama, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

The mission is coordinated through U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (NAVSO/ 4th Fleet) with partner nations to meet their specific training requests. As the Naval Component Command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO’s mission is to direct U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, Theater Security Cooperation, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO, exercising operational control of assigned forces in the SOUTHCOM area of focus.

Article Source: http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/news.php?storyId=1535

In the News: HSV 2 SWIFT Visit to Barbados

High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) visited Barbados

High speed vessel Swift (HSV 2) visited Barbados for the first of two, two-week long instruction evolutions in Barbados during Southern Partnership Station (SPS). Barbados was the fourth stop for SPS.

While here, their goal was primarily information sharing and promote mutual understanding with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
Training teams from the US Navy and Marine Corps trained with defense and police forces from the seven Regional Security Service (RSS) nations.

The courses provide instruction in a variety of fields such as small boat navigation, small boat maintenance, port security, armed sentry and marksmanship training.

While in port, the crew of the SWIFT hosted the Barbados Sea Cadets on Saturday, 17 January. They were given a tour of the vessel, some basic small boat instruction, and had lunch with the crew.

The SWIFT brought almost $20,000 BDS worth of medical supplies to be donated to local community organizations to help improve the quality of life in Barbados.

Over 100 law enforcement personnel from the Barbados Defense Force and their colleagues from member states of the Regional Security System graduated on Friday after completing two weeks of intensive training which was facilitated by United States Military officials from the US Naval vessel HSV 2 Swift.

They will return in March for another two weeks.

Article Source: http://barbados.usembassy.gov/pe01232009.html

Ship's Background, Mission and General Information

As you may know, the HSV-2 SWIFT has a mission and background that is not typical of other ships utilized by the Navy.

The following is information provided by the Gold Crew's Officer In Charge, LCDR Mike Vecerkauskas. It offers a little insight about the SWIFT's Mission and her Background, as well as a taste of what you can expect your Sailor to be doing over the next year:

This is the 3rd version of the SWIFT program as a privately owned, US Navy leased high speed vessel.

There is a blue and gold crew that will rotate aboard approximately every 4 months. The off-ship crew has offices at Military Sealift Fleet Support Command at Naval Station Norfolk.

SWIFT has a mixed military and civilian crew, approximately 20 civilian and 20 military. The civilian mariners operate the ship and provide ship services, while the military crew executes the ship's mission for the Fleet Commander.

SWIFT has completed an owner required overhaul in Morgan City, LA and has departed on deployment to Central America.

SWIFT will be home-ported in Norfolk; however, her operating concept requires that the ship will be forward deployed often, and the crews will be flown to and from the ship in theater.

Our team is developing the foundation of how future High Speed Vessels will operate and how they will integrate into Military Sealift Command and Theater Commands.

Our current mission is to work for Commander 4th Fleet and US Southern Command to engage Caribbean and Central American countries in theater security cooperation under the Partnership of the Americas.

We will relieve the Blue Crew on station in the Dominican Republic at the end of February.

We will have embarked staff and training teams that will work with partner nations in training maritime forces in naval operations.

Your sailor will routinely see ports that few US Navy ships ever visit and engage foreign military and civilians at all levels during our port visits. Our primary mission is "engagement" as "goodwill ambassadors", to build teamwork and cooperation between the US and regional countries.

Our next mission is to US Africa Command, executing theater engagement, security cooperation missions, and training as part of the Africa Partnership Station along the coast of West Africa.

Between our deployments SWIFT will undergo a 60 day shipyard period for additional upgrades and improvements.

Pre-Deployment Brief Information

A Pre-Deployment Brief will be held on February 5, 2009 at 1800. This meeting is Mandatory for all SWIFT personnel and family members are highly encouraged to attend the meeting.

I'm not the one deploying. Why do I need to attend the Pre-Deployment Brief?

A Pre-Deployment Brief gives sailors and their families important information on what to expect before and during a deployment.

Subjects can range from:

• What families need to have while their Sailor is away
• What paperwork needs to be updated or completed before your Sailor leaves
• What to do and who to contact if you have a problem during deployment
• How kids may react to their parent being gone
• What to do if there is an emergency while your Sailor is gone
• What resources are available to help you during a deployment

As an added bonus, going to the brief will give you a chance to meet your support team and put faces to names as well, which I always find helpful :)

I cannot attend. How do I get the information?

I will try to put together a 'meeting minutes' document and e-mail it to those who cannot attend, but try to schedule ahead for this important meeting! Just e-mail me and let me know you couldn't make it and I will make sure you have all the info you need.

Hope to see you there!

Welcome to the HSV-2 Swift News Site!

Welcome to our friends and families of the HSV-2 Swift!

I'm Stacy Katzenstein, the Command Ombudsman for the Swift Gold Crew. I want to tell you all first that this website will be used to post any news stories, photography, updates and deals/discounts that I think could help you during your attachment to the Gold Crew.

Please note that I will not, however, post ship's movements, dates or anything that may be deemed classified, sensitive, or may compromise the safety of the ship and it's crew.

I am hoping that this website will give us all an open forum to discuss anything we want to share. Please feel free to e-mail me or call me with any problems, questions or issues you may have that you do not want discussed in the forum, and I will be more than happy to help you in any way that I can!

A little about my history with this command: My husband (It1 Katzenstein) was attached to the HSV-2 Swift's Blue Crew from Jan 2007 - July 2008, during which it was homeported in Ingleside, Texas. We went through two deployments during that time: first through South America, then through Operation Handclasp in Africa. I am very familiar with the unique factors that make up being attached to the Swift and hope to use that knowledge to help you during these deployments!

The great thing about the Swift is that there is often news/media stories in various countries about operations in their area. I will frequently post news articles, videos, photos of anything I come across to keep you up-to-date with what your sailor is doing. If you come across any materials that I do not post, please feel free to contact me with a link to the information and I will make sure it makes it onto the site.

That's all I have for now! I can't wait to meet everyone and look forward to making deployments (as well as pre- and post- deployment time) as smooth as possible for you!

Thanks and Best Regards,

Stacy Katzenstein

Command Ombudsman, HSV-2 Swift Gold Crew

swift_ombudsman@yahoo.com