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HSV Swift Begins SME Exchanges in Guatemala

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100706-06
7/6/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kim Williams, High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 Public Affairs

PUERTO QUETZAL, Guatemala (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, July 3 to conduct subject matter expert exchanges as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2010 with the Guatemalan defense force.

The crew kicked off the first day of exchanges July 5.

During this halfway point of the SPS 2010 mission, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from the U.S. military exchanged ideas and information about various maritime issues with the Guatemalan defense force aimed at strengthening our cooperative partnership.

"We are excited about our extended visit here in Guatemala," said Capt. Kurt Hedberg, SPS 2010 mission commander. "To date, this is our longest stay in any country, and we are looking forward to spending the extra time experiencing this country's rich culture. We have a full schedule of subject matter exchanges and community relations events planned, which we are ready to share with the people of Guatemala."

SPS 2010 is a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility in the Caribbean and Central America. Its primary goal is information exchanging with navies, coast guards, and civilian services throughout these regions.

"SPS is seen as an enabler and a great example of the U.S. global Maritime Strategy at work. It is our goal to promote common interests with the Guatemalan forces and to have the most candid and accurate information exchanged," said Hedberg.

Guatemala is the fifth stop for Swift and SPS 2010, which has also visited Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Swift is operated and navigated by 17 civilian contract mariners working for a private company under charter to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.