• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

NCIS Training Team Conducts Information Exchange with Honduran Security Forces

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110310-01
3/10/2011

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

SAN LORENZO, Honduras (NNS) -- Sailors supporting the Navy Criminal Investigative Service's (NCIS) security, training, assessment and assistance team (STAAT) began a practical application course with 39 Honduran representatives in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011, March 9.

The cross-training venture with the Honduran military, national police and port security in San Lorenzo, Honduras, is part of a five-day subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) designed to enhance interoperability between the militaries and build an enduring partnership with the Honduran government.

It includes hands-on training on tactical building searches, field interviews, suspect apprehension, high-risk vehicle stops, and vehicle inspections and personnel transport procedures.

"During this particular engagement, we're not focused on what training we can provide. We're working together with our Honduran counterparts to cross train and learn from each other to benefit both our services," said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Charles Mobley, SPS 2011 NCIS STAAT leading chief petty officer.

"A lot of the procedures we've learned so far are new to us and will aid us in operating more efficiently," said Maria Martinez, Honduran port security officer. "But we have also been able to display some of our tactics, which these guys aren't necessarily familiar with, so it's truly a learning experience for both sides."

The STAAT consists of four Sailors, two active duty and two reservists, assigned to different East coast commands. STAAT teams have conducted information exchanges and engagements as part of SPS 2011 in Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru and El Salvador.

"Our diversity is what makes us effective on all levels," said Lt. j.g. Larron White, SPS 2011 NCIS STAAT officer-in-charge. "We have personnel who are fluent in Spanish, which makes the language barrier non-existent, and we have Sailors with more than 20 years of experience in Navy security. We are able to cover a variety of topics and make the information exchange mutually beneficial across the board."

This is the first of two scheduled security SMEE's with Honduran soldiers and sailors during the SPS 2011 mission in Honduras.

STAAT's travel worldwide to guide security teams at military installations and NCIS local offices with their security measures, using both assessments and training to accomplish their operations.

SPS 11 is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission's primary goal is information-sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO) is the naval component command for U.S. Southern Command and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility.

COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. Maritime Strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations, and counter-illicit trafficking operations.