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US Ambassador to Honduras Visits Swift

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110319-04
3/19/2011

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

SAN LORENZO, Honduras (NNS) -- The U.S. ambassador to Honduras visited the Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011 team aboard High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) for a ship tour and mission brief in San Lorenzo, Honduras, March 18.

U.S. Ambassador Hugo Llorens Acosta was greeted by Cmdr. Mark Becker, SPS 2011 mission commander, aboard Swift and presented with a command ball cap prior to his scheduled visit.

"I just wanted to come out and see firsthand the amazing things our American service members are doing here in Honduras," said Acosta. "I've heard rave reviews about the information exchanges taking place here and in the community, and I wanted to meet the men and women who are responsible for making it happen."

Acosta's tour included stops through the ship's mission bay, passenger area, flight deck, bridge, galley and berthing areas.

"We're basically giving him the play-by-play of our engagements in the area and showing how we've partnered with the Honduran government in a variety of successful endeavors," said Becker.

Before leaving the ship, Acosta shared a heartfelt thank you and goodbye to SPS 2011 officers and crew.

"This was a great experience walking through this dynamic ship and talking with the Sailor, Marines and Airman who are making things happen and supporting our commitment to building enduring relationships with the Honduran government. The work you've done here has been absolutely vital to the people of Honduras," said Acosta.

While in Honduras, the SPS 2011 team participated in subject matter expert exchanges related to security, medicine, civil affairs and construction engineering, which were designed to continue building and sustaining an enduring relationship with the Honduran government.

The Embassy of the United States in Honduras works to deepen ties of cooperation and understanding between the two nations through the strengthening of bilateral relations, the promotion of commercial exchange and sustainable development and also through educational and cultural activities.

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.