SPS 2010 Departs Guatemala

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams, HSV Swift Public Affairs

PUERTO QUETZAL, Guatemala (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) and Southern Partnership Station 2010 (SPS 2010) departed Guatemala after three weeks of subject matter expert exchanges July 23.

Several U.S. military organizations including Maritime Civil Affairs Security Training Command, Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group and Navy Criminal Investigative Service participated in information exchanges with service members and civilians from the Guatemalan Defense Force.

Topics of discussion included boarding team operations, land navigation and port and physical security.

While in country, the crew of HSV Swift also worked in conjunction with Guatemalan Navy to rescue seven Guatemalan Special Forces sailors when their vessel capsized during a drug interdiction.

"One of the highlights of our visit to Guatemala was the search and rescue mission we conducted with the Guatemalan Navy," said Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Creameans, SPS 2010 deputy mission commander. "It showed the excellent coordination of communications, navigation and the ability of our crew to excel in a crisis situation."

Swift's crew participated in a community relations event at Escuela De Las Pampas in Escuntila, Guatemala and according to Capt. Kurt Hedberg, SPS 2010 mission commander, had the opportunity to build relationships and provide a lasting, positive impact for the local community.

"As with every port we visit, we have had several unique opportunities to engage with the Guatemalan community through our volunteer efforts," said Hedberg. "In our ongoing community relations, we take away with us the rich experiences gained from the one-on-one interaction working alongside host country nationals. Our crew members build bonds with the people that they encounter which may stay with them a lifetime."

Throughout the Guatemalan subject matter exchanges, Swift crew members welcomed many distinguished visitors aboard including Alvaro Colom, the president of Guatemala and U.S. Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander, U.S. Southern Command.

"It was an honor and privilege to welcome both Gen. Fraser and President Colom on board," said Creameans. "It was our pleasure to have them tour our ship and see how military and civilian crewmen work together to make this venture on board Swift a success."

HSV-SPS 2010 Guatemala concluded with a parade and reception hosted by the crew of the Swift at the Guatemala Navy Base. The Guatemalan Defense Forces hosted the opening ceremony parade and reception.

The ship is deployed in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010, a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in the Caribbean and Central America, with the primary goal of information sharing with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout the region.

Swift is operated and navigated by 17 civilian contract mariners working for a private company under charter to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.