Global Fleet Station Wraps-up First Dominican Republic Visit
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070716-10
Release Date: 7/16/2007 4:39:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, Task Group 40.9 Public Affairs
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (NNS) -- The pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS) completed its first visit to the Dominican Republic, July 6, aboard High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift.
“Our first stop to the Dominican Republic was quite eventful and rewarding,” said Capt. Douglas Wied, commander, Task Group (TG) 40.9. “It was a great opportunity to interact with our partners. The Dominican military and civilian forces were outstanding to work and share ideas with. We received tremendous support from the U.S. Embassy and the Dominican Republic Navy, and we made some lasting friendships with them as well.”
TG 40.9 hosted the Honorable Roland W. Bullen, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy; Vice Adm. Ivan A. Peña Castillo, Chief of the Navy, Dominican Republic; along with many other high-ranking U.S. Embassy and Dominican naval officials for a reception on board Swift.
Other events included a softball game with the U.S. Embassy, at the New York Yankees Dominican Republic facility, and an Independence Day party at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence.
“The amount of hospitality the Embassy and the baseball facility showed us was overwhelming,” Wied said. “Even though we beat them in the softball game, they were good sports and had a wonderful barbecue for us as well. The Independence Day party was also great time. As much as we’ve enjoyed our engagement with other countries, it was great to celebrate our country’s independence American style.”
During their time in Santo Domingo, 10 members of TG 40.9 visited La Casa Rosada, a Santo Domingo hospital for children with HIV, where they fixed both air conditioning units and more than 25 bicycles, replaced a clothes dryer and spent some quality time with the children.
“It gives us a lot of encouragement to get this type of help,” said Sister Carmen Veiga, co-director and co-founder of the hospital. “The work you did was marvelous; it’s an honor that our brothers and sisters from the United States have a concern for the suffering of our children.”
Not only was this a rewarding experience for the hospital, it was for TG 40.9 personnel as well.
“The short period of time we spent on this operation has created some of the longest impressions and friendships,” said Coast Guard Lt. Clifford DeTemple. “The children we helped at the orphanage bond these feelings, though we only had a short time with them. I hope our small gestures of kindness brighten their days. I will remember them the rest of my life and pray that every day is better for them.”
U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command in Little Creek, Va., and U.S. Coast Guard International Training Division, in Yorktown, Va., continued to facilitate training sessions in areas requested by the Dominican Republic. During these courses, 31 Dominican Republic personnel trained side-by-side with their American counterparts in Port Security and Vulnerability Assessment, a leadership seminar and a two-week training session in Small Boat Handling.
“The Dominicans were very enthusiastic, eager to learn and interact with the instructors,” said Lt. j.g. Christopher Just, training team leader. “The instructors and partners alike learned a great deal professionally and culturally. We look forward to future interactions with the Dominican Republic when we return later on this summer.”
TG 40.9, consisting of a command element, the crew of Swift, training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command, U.S. Coast Guard International Training Division, and Department of State representatives, is deployed as part of the pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS) to the Caribbean basin in Central America.
While deployed, members of TG 40.9 will participate in information exchanges and training with partnership countries. They are scheduled to return to the Dominican Republic for another round of cooperative exchanges later in the summer.
The mission is designed to validate the GFS concept for the Navy and support U.S. Southern Command objectives for its area of responsibility by enhancing cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving operational readiness for the participating partner nations.
TG 40.9 is scheduled to bring their teams to Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Panama.
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