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Navy Diver Global Fleet Station Underway

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080703-01
Release Date: 7/3/2008 6:55:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command (MSC) rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS-51) got underway June 27 and headed for the Caribbean Sea, marking the beginning of Navy Diver-Global Fleet Station (ND-GFS).

Directed by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and implemented by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), ND-GFS is a strategic initiative during which a self-sustaining sea-base conducts regional operations through tailored and adaptive packages and conducts a variety of engagements with partner nations within the SOUTHCOM area of focus. This marks the second GFS deployment to the area, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters.

"Navy Diver GFS gives us a great opportunity to strengthen maritime capabilities with our regional partners," said Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr.

"This deployment allows us to share ideas and information with those partners, and goes to show the value of the GFS deployment each year."

Grasp will execute ND-GFS with embarked support elements June through September. Those support elements come from Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Underwater Construction Team 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, and Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Detachment Combat Camera Norfolk.

ND-GFS, in coordination with partner nations, will conduct specialized operational dives, recompression chamber operations and diver equipment maintenance. Scheduled open water dive operations will include environmental underwater wreck assessment, unexploded ordnance disposal and tailored port security dive operations.

"We have great instructors and plan to teach the U.S. Navy's diving methods, and hopefully our partner nations will draw toward those methods and want to use them," said Chief Warrant Officer Guy Inzunsa, commander of MDSU 2's Company 23.

Global Fleet Station's mission to maintain strong multilateral partnerships supports the U.S. Maritime Strategy's goals of enhancing regional stability and security by promoting multinational working relationships.

For more information on U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.cusns.navy.mil.>
For more information on U.S. Southern Command, visit www.southcom.mil.>
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.