USS Stout Completes 'Partnership of the Americas' Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060526-37
Release Date: 5/26/2006 2:40:00 PM
By Photographer’s Mate Airman Tristan Miller and Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Elizabeth Enockson, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Stout (DDG 55) returned to Naval Station Norfolk May 24 following a seven-week deployment in support of “Partnership of the Americas.”
“Partnership of the Americas” was a maritime training and readiness deployment of U.S. naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America in support of U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security.
“This has been a very successful deployment for Stout on a couple of different levels. First it was an outstanding opportunity to work with the Coast Guard and other countries’ navies, particularly the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua,” said Cmdr. Thomas K. Kiss, Stout’s commanding officer. “We really learned how to operate better with each other as we face some of the same common threats in the Caribbean including drug smuggling, human trafficking and narcotics terrorism.”
While Stout was deployed, the crew conducted exercises with both the Dominican Republic navy and Nicaragua navy, during which time Sailors cross decked from their home ships to allied ships.
“Our exchange with the other navies is going to help a lot,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Kelly Stichelblancho, who translated for the Dominican Republic sailors. “Not too many countries get to work with the U.S. military, and they told me it was a pleasure for them. It has been great working with them, and they said they have learned a lot about what we do in our Navy. For me to help a foreign country and teach them what we do for a living is the greatest feeling.”
During their cross deck the Sailors exchanged training on damage control, engineering and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations. Also participating in the training was Stout’s embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) 101.
“Training with the Navy keeps us up on our skills and helps prepare the crew for an actual VBSS boarding,” said Food Service Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Rowley, the leading petty officer of Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) 101. “We use their ships as platforms of opportunity and the Navy’s expertise and methods for finding other vessels is also a big help. With us working with the Navy we both profit from shared experience that helps promote relations between both branches of service.”
Stout also participated in several exercises involving the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group including a sea power demonstration, plane guard, and underway replenishment.
“It was an opportunity for Sailors on board Stout inside the lifelines to get a lot of good training done. Stout will return to Norfolk fully ready in all warfare areas because of the training with all ships in the carrier strike group and the foreign navies,” Kiss said. “The crew did an absolutely superb job everything was done safely and effectively for us and all of the participants.”
The ship made port visits to Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. In each port, Stout Sailors volunteered to participate in community relations projects to help improve the community. From refurbishing houses to meeting children at kindergartens and orphanages, 80 volunteers put in 28 hours of work helping improve lives.
“We are very happy the Navy is willing to help,” said Rosa Danelia Hendricks, president of the Federation of Communities Roatan, Honduras. “It may not be worth a thousand dollars, but they choose to come here not only as tourists but to take the time to help and leave part of themselves behind. There is no price for that. They made an impression it’s going to change these children’s lives.”
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