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High Speed Vessel SWIFT Joins Mine Warfare Command

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030822-04

Release Date: 8/22/2003 9:06:00 AM

From Mine Warfare Command Public Affairs

HOBART, Tasmania (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift joined the fleet Aug. 15 when Commander, Mine Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Paul J. Ryan, and staff accepted the ship on behalf of the U.S. Navy from Incat Tasmania Pty. Ltd., in Hobart, Tasmania.

Swift will serve operationally as an interim Mine Warfare Command and Support Ship (MCS), and support transformational mine warfare modular mission payload initiatives. In support of Navy experimentation, the HSV will be used to explore concepts, capabilities and military utility associated with the advanced hull and propulsion technology, integrated with advanced communications in support of the Littoral Combat Ship program.

For the Marine Corps, the HSV will conduct a series of limited-objective experiments, exercises, demonstrations and training events that develop interoperability potential of high-speed vessels with causeways, watercraft, amphibious ships and other shipping. Experimentation data will be used to access the military utility of HSVs, and future joint and naval military operations or applications.

The vessel will operate with crews stationed at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va. Cmdr. Clark T. Price and Cmdr. Mark Sakaguchi will lead the crews, respectively. Upon completion of sea trials, Navy acceptance and crew certification, Swift will deploy and commence routine operations. The ship is expected to arrive in CONUS in January 2004.