HSV Swift Departs Tanzania

By Ensign Joe Keiley, HSV 2 Swift Public Affairs

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (NNS) -- High-Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) left Dar es Salaam after a 12-day port visit in Tanzania after conducting training as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East 2012, July 5.

During the two-week visit, Swift Sailors and embarked personnel conducted training workshops with more than 100 members of the Tanzanian People's Defense Force (TPDF) covering leadership, port security, environmental protection, infantry tactics and medical skills.

 "There are some instances that you can't anticipate, and these classes help us learn different lessons," said Lt. Frank Kavalambi, a TPDF officer. "I took the port security class the first week and the environmental workshop this week, so I've gotten a great deal out of this, and I hope we can continue participating in these types of events."

Swift's crew painted the classroom walls at Kinondoni Muslim High School and participated in a soccer match with the students.

 "When we showed the school's administrator the classroom, his eyes lit up when he saw the finished product. There was no need for a translation for that reaction," said Lt. Jason Meyers, a member of Maritime Partnership Program (MPP) Tanzania detachment.

Swift's personnel also shared their culture with the locals by celebrating America's Independence Day on the flight deck of Swift with a cookout and fireworks display. Members of U.S. Naval Forces Europe band "Flagship" participated in several events and Swift's crew offloaded pallets which included wheelchairs for the disabled, books for children and water filters.

"Sometimes we get so mission-focused just making sure the pallets are transferred safely off the ship that we forget these items are going to help people that need it, so it was great to be reminded of that by the people we spoke with," said Lt. Cmdr. Ted Kopinski, MPP detachment team member. "Hearing about the impact of what these wheelchairs will mean for some of the people in the area really brought it home for me."

Swift, a Military Sealift Command-chartered High Speed Vessel, is making port calls throughout Africa in support of APS and theater security cooperation (TSC) visits.

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

Tanzania: Texas Army National Guard Soldiers work with Tanzanian People's Defense Forces medical professionals

Story by Army Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon

Task Force Raptor

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (6/20/12) – Two soldiers from two different continents share one common goal: taking care of their fellow service members.

Tanzania People’s Defense Force medical professional, Pvt. Baltazary Ambrose Mroso, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Miles Bizzell, clinic non-commissioned officer in charge, and Spc. Joshua Morgan, medic, Task Force Raptor, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, came together to share best medical practices in a combat casualty care exchange here, May 21 – June 8.

The exchange was broken up into two parts over two weeks. The first week involved a discussion between military medical professionals, followed by sharing of information gathered from meeting with Tanzanian infantry soldiers.

Bizzell was impressed by the level of participation and involvement displayed by the Tanzanians.

“I remember the Tanzanian soldiers being very attentive as we shared our medical skills with them,” Bizzell said. “They had great questions and soaked up all the information. They would even come up to us in between sessions to continue the discussion; we almost had to force them to go on break.”

Mroso, grateful for the exchange, compared the meeting to his favorite sport.

“I’m very proud to be able to participate and bring my experience to this meeting between medics from two great countries,” Mroso said. “If this were a soccer match, it could be compared to Manchester United and Barcelona Football Club coming together and displaying their best abilities.”

The binational union of the medical professionals concluded with the certification of more than 40 Tanzanian infantry soldiers in basic combat casualty care skills ― one more professional achievement Bizzell will value the rest of his life.

“I have taught many U.S. soldiers before, but to be here in Africa, working with fellow medical professionals is a great experience,” Bizzell said. “It’s also very encouraging to know that military medics like me are the same no matter what country we’re from. We care for the health and welfare of our soldiers and will do our best to bring them home safely.”