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Gunston Hall Sailors Exchange VBSS Skills with Colombian Coast Guard

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110208-04
2/8/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian S. Finney, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

COVENAS, Colombia (NNS) -- USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) Sailors conducted visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) information exchanges with Colombian coast guardsmen while operating off the coast of Colombia in support of Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011 (A-SPS 11), Feb. 2.

The subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) within the mission serve to strengthen existing regional partnerships through the exchange of maritime mission-focused knowledge and improve capabilities in key maritime security mission areas.

VBSS teams are designed to combat terrorism, piracy and smuggling by interdicting illicit operations and trafficking.

The two-day SMEE exercises began ashore at the coast guard base in Covenas, where presentations were exchanged on how each team operates.

"This exchange was equally important to both countries," said Lt.j.g. Joe Cylc, VBSS SMEE coordinator. "Cooperative exercises such as this provide the forum for us to share the knowledge, experiences, and techniques that allow us to become stronger allies against these common enemies."

Next, the exercises shifted to the Colombian Marine Infantry Training Base, where each member of the U.S. VBSS team paired up with a member of the Colombian team to practice takedown and handcuffing techniques.

Although greatly separated by geographical distance, the two countries have similar VBSS procedures.

"Based on the presentations we both gave and from having the chance to watch both teams operate side-by-side, it was clear that we conducted business in a very similar fashion," said Cylc. "Both teams approached this exchange with an open mind and finished with a great deal of respect for each other."

Day two of the SMEE consisted of simulated boardings using a landing craft utility (LCU) from Gunston Hall as a target vessel. Each team practiced boarding the vessel from a small boat.

"I learned that we all have knowledge to pass on," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Devon Patterson, VBSS team member. "The Colombians have a wealth of knowledge and I think that it's great that the U.S. is strengthening ties with the countries in this region."

The A-SPS concept is designed to strengthen cooperative partnerships in support of the U.S. maritime strategy and will focus on the Caribbean Basin, and Central and South America.

"We had the rare chance to work beside one of the most capable boarding teams in the region, and we will apply what we learned to everything we do in the future," said Cylc.

Colombia is the first of four scheduled visits for Gunston Hall, including stops in Belize, Guatemala and Jamaica.

A-SPS 11 is a United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by Commander, United States Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO), supported by United States Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH); and carried out by Commander, Destroyer Squadron Four Zero (CDS40); USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and a Marine Corps Security Cooperation Task Force.