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.