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USS Simpson Interacts with Panamanian Maritime Force and Community in Panama

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090804-13
Release Date: 8/4/2009 4:18:00 PM

From USS Simpson Public Affairs

PANAMA (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) conducted theater security cooperation (TSC) events in Panama during the ship's mid-deployment repair period July 8-19.

Simpson's Sailors engaged Panamanians in many different areas designed to improve the interoperability of each country's maritime forces and to further the United States' relationship with Panama and demonstrate a commitment to the region.

The port visit began with an operations and intelligence meeting during lunch between Simpson crew members and the Panamanian National Aeronautical and Naval Service (SENAN).

Key members from the SENAN attended the meeting to discuss counter-illicit trafficking (CIT) operations in the area and gave Simpson a brief on CIT operations from the Panamanian perspective. The luncheon served as an excellent opportunity to obtain information on the local area from the SENAN members. The group also discussed ways in which each country's maritime forces could work together more effectively to stem the flow of illicit trafficking.

Subject matter expert conferences were held between Simpson's crew and the SENAN in a range of fields, from medical to boarding and search procedures. Other areas included firefighting and damage control, small arms maintenance, fuel testing, diesel engine maintenance, outboard engine repair, and a leadership exchange. At the leadership exchange, junior officers, chiefs, and petty officers from Simpson met with their SENAN counterparts to discuss the commonalities of their experiences.

"It was nice to have a positive impact on the Panamanians and to know that the knowledge we passed on may help to prevent personnel or equipment casualties," said Chief Gunner's Mate (SW) Keith Novak on the weapons maintenance exchange. "These exchanges provided venues to share knowledge and experience with the Panamanians maritime force and will serve to improve the efficiency of our forces operating together in the future."

Simpson worked with the SENAN on other events to demonstrate their commitment to the local community. The ship's crew also participated in Project Handclasp and delivered donations of one pallet of medicine and two pallets hygiene product to Ruices' Health Center, a local health center for the disadvantaged, and a pallet of medicine to the SENAN Health Center. Project Handclasp is a collection of donated items delivered around the world by the U.S. military.

During the presentation within Simpson's Wardroom, Chief Petty Officer's Mess, and First Class Association purchased and donated toys and supplies to a local education center, School Republic of Guatemala. Students from the school attended the presentation and performed a cultural dance.

Earlier in the week, Simpson Sailors worked alongside SENAN members to conduct a community relations project at a school in the Republic of Guatemala. They repainted the outside of the center and repaired a badly damaged fence surrounding the school to improve the area's security.

Volunteers also repaired the school's bathroom, refurbished its library and donated academic materials including puzzles, mannequins (for biology and health sciences), geometric figures, radio-recorders. Computers, previously donated by the government, were also refurbished and restored to working condition by Simpson's crew.

"This project was aimed at enhancing the quality of education for the more than 650 children who attend the education center," said participant Lt. j.g. Brittaney Tabb.

"This reminds me of why I love my job," said Tabb. "Our presence here has made a positive impact on the community and will help to serve and strengthen our nations' relationship for years to come. Our Sailors were truly honor, courage, and commitment personified today."

The parents and staff of the center cooked a traditional Panamanian dinner for the participants. During the dinner, a representative of the Panamanian Minister of Education who was in attendance, spoke to the group about the importance of the work that they performed.

Simpson's crew also played softball and soccer with SENAN members and co-hosted a barbecue after the games.

All of the TSC events were setup by Simpson during a port visit to Panama two months earlier in deployment with the help of the U.S. Military Group and U.S. Embassy in Panama. The events were conducted alongside the enormous amount of work that comes during a mid-deployment repair period. Simpson's crew experienced a busy, but fulfilling port visit.

Simpson's visit to Panama supports the U.S. maritime strategy by establishing and enhancing regional partnerships.

The Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate Simpson, homeported in Mayport, Fla., and is deployed to Latin America under the operation control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet, conducting CIT operations and TSC events.