Southern Partnership Station 2014 Continues in Guatemala

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rafael Martie, Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command Joint High-Speed Vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) moored to the pier in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala July 22 to commence the offload of gear and personnel in support of Southern Partnership Station 2014 (SPS-JHSV 14).

The Sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen that make up the adaptive force packages (AFPs) supporting SPS-JHSV 14, disembarked here to start their subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) with Guatemalan military, government, and health officials.

The AFPs are comprised of Coastal Riverine Squadron (CO RIVRON) 2, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3, Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 2, Naval Criminal Investigation Service agents, Engineering engagement teams, medical and dental teams and various Marine components.

"After great engagements in Belize, I hope we continue to do the same in Guatemala," said Utilitiesman 1st Class Corey Mueller a native of Suffolk, Va. "We look forward to working on their library out in town and have great things planned here with our host nation partners."

For five weeks the AFPs will spend time working with host-nation partners to strengthen relationships and fortify joint interoperability in areas such as maritime security tactics, medical procedures, health prevention, dive operations, construction projects, weapons handling, safely handling explosive devices, and land navigation.

For some servicemembers supporting the Southern Partnership mission, this will be their first time visiting the country of Guatemala.

"I am really excited to experience their culture, customs, and meeting new people," said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Charles Alford, a native of Bellevue, Washington.

After the offload, Spearhead is scheduled to depart Guatemala to conduct counter illicit trafficking operations.

SPS-JHSV 14 is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet employ maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.