Posted:
December 1, 2011
The High Speed Vessel (HSV 2) Swift in November arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to begin HSV - Southern Partnership Station 2012, Military Sealift Command reported.
All branches of the U.S. military were represented onboard the Swift as it began the annual deployment of multiple specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Central America.
A U.S. Navy Seabee and U.S. Marine detachment from the Swift performed minor renovations on the Rafaella Santaella School. Marines from the Swift participated in a small unit leadership course with Dominican marines at 27 de Febrero Naval Base.
The Swift also delivered donations through Project Handclasp, a Navy program that accepts and transports donated goods. The vessel carried sixty-four pallets of donations consisting of water filtering canisters, 64,000 high-calorie meals, medical equipment, 108 personal energy transport carts and 14 pallets of school desks, to be donated to local organizations throughout the country.
"It is exciting to begin this mission," said Cmdr. Garry Wright, HSV-SPS 12 mission commander. "Swift is a unique platform that allows us to make lasting bonds with our partner nations. What we do on this deployment will make a difference and it will have a lasting impact on each of us."
The Swift, operated by Sealift LLC and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, has participated in six SPS missions over the last three years.
Southern Partnership Station 2012 begins aboard HSV Swift 2
The High Speed Vessel (HSV 2) Swift in November arrived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to begin HSV - Southern Partnership Station 2012, Military Sealift Command reported.
All branches of the U.S. military were represented onboard the Swift as it began the annual deployment of multiple specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of focus in the Caribbean and Central America.
A U.S. Navy Seabee and U.S. Marine detachment from the Swift performed minor renovations on the Rafaella Santaella School. Marines from the Swift participated in a small unit leadership course with Dominican marines at 27 de Febrero Naval Base.
The Swift also delivered donations through Project Handclasp, a Navy program that accepts and transports donated goods. The vessel carried sixty-four pallets of donations consisting of water filtering canisters, 64,000 high-calorie meals, medical equipment, 108 personal energy transport carts and 14 pallets of school desks, to be donated to local organizations throughout the country.
"It is exciting to begin this mission," said Cmdr. Garry Wright, HSV-SPS 12 mission commander. "Swift is a unique platform that allows us to make lasting bonds with our partner nations. What we do on this deployment will make a difference and it will have a lasting impact on each of us."
The Swift, operated by Sealift LLC and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, has participated in six SPS missions over the last three years.