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High Speed Vessel 2 Swift Conducts Crew Turnover

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070825-06
Release Date: 8/25/2007 3:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, Task Group 40.9 Public Affairs

PUERTO CORTES, Honduras (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift Gold and Blue crews completed their second "battle-turnover" while in port in Puerto Cortes Aug. 23, as part of the pilot Global Fleet Station (GFS).

According to Swift's Gold Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Robert Morrison, this "battle-turnover" is the second for Swift. The first turnover was conducted in 2006 while in Cyprus assisting with the evacuation of U.S. personnel in Lebanon.

"We are currently the only Blue/Gold crew in the U.S. Navy's surface force," said Morrison. "We consider ourselves one crew, just split into two different teams."

The Gold crew, based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., and the Blue crew, based at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, turn-over every four months, no matter where in the world the ship is operating.

"The turnover process is the success of the Blue/Gold concept," Morrison said. "If you have a team of Sailors who know exactly what their time line is, they work harder and they also have a more stable home environment, so the family better supports the Sailor and the Sailor better supports the mission."

For the Blue crew, the turnover process has been "seamless," and according to Swift Blue crew Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Charles Rock, his crew can go home to their families and be satisfied with the job they've done over the past four months.

"I think they will be proud to look back and reflect what they have accomplished for Task Group 40.9, in support of regional and maritime partnerships," said Rock. "They can also take away fond memories of the many friends we met in Central America and the Caribbean Basin and the opportunity to take part in this GFS mission."

Before heading home to Texas, however, the Blue crew had some business to do. During the farewell ceremony prior to departure, Swift pinned Enlisted Surface Warfare Designations on Mineman 1st Class (SW) Phillip Phillips, Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW) Jeremy Katzenstein, Quartermaster 2nd Class (SW) Edmond Ullrich and Operations Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Demetreous Hill; as well as Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Wali Jefferson, assigned temporarily to Swift from PCU Freedom (LCS-1).

Rock also bid farewell to two Swift plank owners, Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) Chad Sturgeon and Engineman 1st Class Morgan Nunn, who were leaving Swift for the last time.

"I am very proud to be a HSV-2 Swift plank owner," said Sturgeon, Swift's communications officer. "Swift has given me great cross-training opportunities, as well as enhancing my career through the duties performed with such a small crew. I made seven cruises to different parts of the world and have worked with all branches of the U.S. military, as well as various international armed forces."

Task Group 40.9, consisting of a command element, the crew of Swift, training teams from Navy Expeditionary Training Command and Coast Guard International Training Division, Marine Corps Mobile Training Team and Department of State representatives, is deployed as part of the pilot GFS to the Caribbean basin and Central America.

Task Group 40.9 is scheduled to bring their teams to Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Panama.