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Partnership of the Americas Continues Improving Interoperability, Relationships

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060511-09
Release Date: 5/11/2006 2:25:00 PM

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Mid-way though Partnership of the Americas in May, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command is continuing efforts to improve training and readiness of U.S. naval forces in the region, and enhance interoperability and relationships with other countries’ civil and military forces.

Partnership of the Americas is a U.S. Southern Command-directed operation implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and carried out by Carrier Strike Group 10, embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). In addition to the strike group staff and George Washington, USS Monterey (CG 61) and USS Stout (DDG 55) from Norfolk, Va., and USS Underwood (FFG 36) from Mayport, Fla., are deployed for the operation.

Also deployed for the operation are elements of George Washington’s carrier air wing, helicopter detachments from Mayport on the smaller ships, and U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachments (LEDET).

“The training and interoperability we’re seeing are just what we envisioned when planning Partnership of the Americas,” said Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr. “As with any successful operation at sea, it is the Sailors - the men and women serving in these fine ships - who are taking our vision and turning it into visible and important results.”

Both in port and at sea, each ship has unique opportunities to interact with regional partners. Underwood hosted the president and vice president of Honduras, along with the ministers of defense, tourism, security, public relations and Honduran navy deputy chief of naval operations. Thirty of her crew, along with 15 Honduran sailors, worked together to repair and repaint a local elementary school. The crew also found time for a variety of training with the Honduran navy, in such areas as damage control, equipment maintenance and boarding procedures.

Monterey welcomed St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas and Taiwanese Ambassador John Liu, and performed a community relations project at the St. Christopher’s Children’s Home in St. Kitts. In addition to a thrilling soccer match between teams from the ship and the local defense and police force, the embarked LEDET spent a day training St. Kitts and Nevis coast guard personnel in levels and use of force in maritime boardings.

Stout hosted U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Hans Hertell, and her Sailors enjoyed the opportunity to visit a Dominican cutter and a patrol craft. The crew reciprocated by hosting Dominican sailors aboard the ship for two days of underway training and interaction, including damage control, casualty and man overboard drills, and visit, board, search and seizure exercises.

According to Stevenson, the focus of Partnership of the Americas is building and strengthening effective alliances and friendships.

“Each of the events the ships perform during Partnership of the Americas enhance theater security cooperation, which supports our ability to respond multilaterally to safeguard regional security," Stevenson said. "Whether the Sailors make repairs to a school or hospital in a community relations project or conduct military-to-military training with regional maritime forces, each effort directly supports security cooperation.”

Partnership of the Americas provides the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in a multinational environment, refine coordination and improve interoperability. Assigned units focus on regional challenges such as illegal drug smuggling, illegal migration, and improving training to ensure a secure maritime domain.