Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 Completes Mission in Honduras

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kathleen A. Gorby, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

PUERTO CASTILLA, Honduras (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines deployed as an adaptive force package (AFP) from USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) wrapped up their first mission stop in support of Southern Partnership Station-Joint High Speed Vessel 2015 (SPS-JHSV 15) in Puerto Castilla, Honduras, Aug. 24.

USNS Spearhead is deployed in support of SPS-JHSV 15, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored deployment focusing on enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services, and improving operational readiness for all participating services. In addition, SPS-JHSV 15 provides the opportunity for U.S. and partner nation forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability, and demonstrate flexibility.

While ashore, the AFP provided training and subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs), conducted community relations projects, and completed multiple construction projects throughout the Colon district.

"We accomplished quite a lot while in Honduras," said Cmdr. Robert Toth, commander of the AFP for SPS-JHSV 2015, and commanding officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6. "Overall, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines exceeded all expectations and have left a lasting impact on the host nation."

According to the exercise participants, the training opportunities proved invaluable.

"Working alongside the Honduran Buzos de Combante unit, the EOD and dive teams conducted SMEEs," said Ensign Adam Pierce, EOD platoon officer-in-charge. "We engaged in demolition operations, diving and underwater sonar techniques, while forging relationships which will benefit both nations in the near future."

The Medical Engagement Team (MET) comprised of various commands across two continents, came together to educate, teach and aid Hondurans and AFP members.

"The MET visited five schools, educating more than 1,100 children about mosquito illness prevention methods," said Lt. Rebekah Sorensen, a physician assistant assigned to Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, Maryland. "We trained 30 Honduran tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) instructors, who in turn, taught 150 Honduran military personnel. Additionally, we provided force health protection to U.S. service members in the camp battalion aid station."

U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) combat engineers, assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Navy Seabees, assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 in San Diego, worked together on various community construction projects.

Marine water purification specialists, assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, created freshwater by pulling directly from the ocean and running it through a Lightweight Water Purification System.

"During our short time in Honduras, we created 10,000 gallons of freshwater," said USMC Sgt. Matthew Lore, noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "We also created 5,000 gallons for the local community of Puerto Castilla and distributed it in five-gallon jugs to those in need."

The AFP traveled to Honduras and sent a small detachment to Belize. During the next stop in Guatemala, a small contingent will be sent to Colombia. The deployment will continue through mid-October.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet support joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Army Civic Action Team Departs Palau, Air Force Takes on Mission

From Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

KOROR, Republic of Palau (NNS) -- It was a standing ovation as members of the U.S. Army Civic Action Team (CAT) 84-03 were recognized for their efforts during a change of charge ceremony in the Republic of Palau Aug. 21.

The 554th Red Horse Squadron out of Andersen Air Force Base took over the CAT with a mission to continue the U.S. commitment to assist and support the development of the republic and further positive relations with the people of Palau.

"The U.S. and Republic of Palau have had a strong and long relationship," Palau's Minister of State Billy Kuartei said. "They will be here for many more years to come and we will welcome them. Thank you U.S. for your presence here in Palau."

During their six-month deployment to Palau, the outgoing U.S. Army CAT completed 10 construction projects, supported more than 100 community relations activities and provided medical assistance to more than 1,000 patients.

"The success of the CAT team was a result of the collaboration and cooperation with the community," Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, U.S. Defense Representative to Palau, said. "You have done an amazing job and will leave your post with a positive and lasting legacy."

Among those who recognized the dedication of the outgoing CAT was U.S. Ambassador to Palau Amy Hyatt. In front of a crowd of approximately 200 people, she spoke about the Soldiers' desire to leave a positive mark in Palau.

"We can always count on them," Hyatt said. "The CAT has always been there for us, and we are proud of the work they have done."

Palau residents adopted many of the outgoing CAT members and welcomed the Soldiers into their families. For many of the service members, it was bittersweet to say goodbye to a community they have called home.

"I am forever grateful to the people of Palau," 1st Lt. Amy Smith, outgoing CAT officer in charge, said. "It was a blessing to have served here in this pristine paradise."

The incoming CAT team from the U.S. Air Force, which is led by Capt. Naseem Ghandour, is excited to take on the mission. According to Ghandour, the team plans to meet the high standards set by the Army team.

"We want to show the people of Palau what we can do," he said. "We want to start and get this going. We are very happy to be here."

During their deployment, the Air Force team will provide construction support to the host nation, assist and train apprentices with general engineering skills, facilitate an in-camp and outreach medical program and conduct community relations projects.

USS Fort Worth Completes 2015 CARAT With Indonesia and Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Bishop, USS Fort Worth Public Affairs

SULU SEA (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) wrapped up its participation in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises with both Indonesia and Malaysia following an Aug. 21 closing ceremony held in Sandakan, Malaysia.

CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

In deepening navy-to-navy relationships, Fort Worth visited Surabaya, Indonesia, for the first time in her 16-month rotational deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet. This port visit is particularly significant for Fort Worth, as she was part of the Indonesian-led Air Asia search efforts in the Java Sea.

"It was a pleasure operating at sea with our TNI-AL (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut) naval partners during the sea phase of CARAT Indonesia", said Cmdr. Christopher Brown, commanding officer of Fort Worth. "Fort Worth once again demonstrated its combat capabilities and relevance in the region while fostering long-term personal and professional relationships with our Southeast Asian partners."

CARAT is a model of how the TNI-AL and U.S. Navies can cooperate and work together to enhance interoperability, develop relationships and address shared maritime security priorities, as in the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises. TNI Sailors conducted their first VBSS boarding of Fort Worth during this year's CARAT.

"During CARAT Indonesia LCS SUW DET FOUR (Surface Warfare Mission Package, Detachment 4) and the Indonesian navy had an outstanding opportunity to interact and exchange VBSS tactics and hold discussions about our different capabilities", said Lt. j.g. Andrew Pena, officer in charge of Detachment 4. "These positive interactions culminated in two successful at-sea VBSS exercises between our Navies."

This year's CARAT Indonesia also provided the opportunity for TNI pilots to practice deck landings on the flight deck of Fort Worth with a Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BO-105 Indonesian navy helicopter.

CARAT Malaysia 2015 consists of five days of shore-based and at sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, build relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces.

"This marks the 21st year that the U.S. and Malaysian Armed Forces have come together for CARAT and our enhanced military partnership today reflects the maturity of this relationship," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force 73. "Partnerships matter in this region; sustained partnerships matter even more."

The Royal Malaysian Navy for the first time conducted deck landing practice with its Super Lynx helicopter on the flight deck of Fort Worth. The bilateral and multilateral exercises provide a regional venue to develop strong maritime partnerships that contribute to the greater peace and stability of the region.

"CARAT is a practical way for our two navies to address shared maritime security priorities in a realistic training environment," said Capt. H.B. Le, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7.

"The Malaysian Armed Forces have been a part of CARAT since its inception, and our partnership's spanning more than two decades demonstrates a firm mutual commitment to stability and security throughout the region."

U.S. units participating in the exercise include the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), a P-3C Orion, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1, and U.S. Marines assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (III MEB).

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.