Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet visits Eastern Caribbean Coast Guards

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Henderson, U.S. Fourth Fleet Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet Rear Adm. George Ballance visited several countries in the Eastern Caribbean May 12-16, which have been working with the U.S. Southern Command's Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT).

This is Ballance's first visit in the Southern Command area of responsibility since gaining command in late April. It also signifies the first time a senior officer has visited St. Vincent, Antigua and St. Kitts since 2011.

"Seeing the results of our TAFT's work with the Eastern Caribbean Coast Guards is inspiring," said Rear Adm. George Balance, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. "It's great to see such a strong working relationship with partner nations and gives me something to strive for - making these relationships even stronger. This type of engagement is an outstanding example of forces sharing best practices and building capabilities to help achieve our common goal of regional stability."

TAFT is a joint, U.S. Coast Guard/Department of Defense team operating under the tactical control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet comprised of nine Coast Guard members and six U.S. Army personnel. It is the newest iteration of a program dating back to Operation Urgent Fury that provides local and long distance support to many of the Caribbean Coast Guards.

"Being able to meet with Rear Admiral Ballance and demonstrate the capabilities of TAFT was an honor," said Lt. Adam Miller, Technical Assistance Field Team Liaison for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. "His presence was validation of TAFT's mission and the team members' hard work over the past year."

This TAFT team specializes in small boat repairs, development of short and long term maintenance plans and the improvement of logistics and supply processes, often serving as a conduit between U.S. Embassy staff, local forces, as well as commercial and technical representatives.

"TAFT deploys to the Eastern Caribbean about twice a quarter and provides the most consistent U.S. based presence in the region." said Miller a native of Middletown, PA. "Rear Adm. Ballance was able to see first-hand how TAFT members work with our partner nations in repairing engineering casualties, establishing maintenance plans, and improving their overall operational capabilities."

During his stay in St. Vincent, Ballance toured the new Coast Guard facility in Canouan as the first senior U.S. official to do so and was able to see the new boats given to them by the

Secure Seas Program as part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. These boats arrived in 2012.

"It's been wonderful having Rear Adm. Ballance here to see our new facility," said Lt. Ralphie Ragguette, Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Coast Guard Engineering Officer. "It truly shows interest and that we are a priority in the region."

Ragguette pointed out that the new base is strategically positioned for interceptions.

Ballance next flew to Antigua, which is hosting Tradewinds 2014, to conduct a review of forces with the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, led by Col. Sir Trevor Thomas, at Camp Blizzard. While there, Ballance toured their bases and facilities. He also toured the American University of Antigua, College of Medicine.

Ballance finished his visit to the region with a stop in St. Kitts where he met with the heads of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force and Coast Guard.

"Tradewinds is great for the Eastern Caribbean because it helps us learn to work together - the small island components in particular," said Lt. Col. Patrick Wallace, head of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order 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.