• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Seabee Supports NCIS Training Team in Nicaragua for Southern Partnership Station 2011

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110327-06
3/27/2011

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

CORINTO, Nicaragua (NNS) -- A Southern Partnership Station 2011 reserve Sailor with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28 is putting his full-time background to work while participating in a subject matter expert exchange with Nicaraguan military members in Corinto, Nicaragua, from March 21 to April 1.

Utilitiesman 1st Class Carlos Sanchez, a Houston police officer when not performing Reserve duty, was hand- selected to support the two-man, NCIS Security, Training, Assessment and Assistance Team (STAAT) during their engagement with the Nicaraguan military because of his proficiency in the Spanish language and his in-depth knowledge of physical security.

"We were in need of a translator to assist us during our cross training with our Nicaraguan counterparts, and Sanchez was the immediate choice," said Lt. j.g. Larron White, SPS 2011 NCIS STAAT officer-in-charge. "The energy and information he has brought to the team has proved invaluable."

Fortunately for the STAAT, Sanchez was within arm's reach, because NMCB 28 is one of six joint-military teams aboard High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) conducting SMEEs throughout South America as part of SPS 2011.

"When the NCIS team tapped us and asked for support, we were more than willing to assist," said Lt. Rama Mutyala, NMCB 28 Detail Bravo officer-in-charge. "We're a team. Everyone on this mission and on this ship is committed to working together and continuing to make SPS a success."

The STAAT's objective during the eight-day Nicaraguan engagement is to enhance interoperability between the militaries and to build an enduring partnership through information exchanges related to tactical building searches, field interviews, suspect apprehension, high-risk vehicle stops, vehicle inspections and personnel transport procedures.

"My military rating is affiliated with construction, but my civilian career as a police officer has provided me with a working knowledge of security procedures, which are very similar to Navy security tactics," said Sanchez. "It's actually a nice change of pace from my day-to-day job here, and I'm more than happy to lend a helping hand and support my shipmates."

"The language barrier has been a non-issue for us because of the direct support Sanchez has provided," said White. "We appreciate the expertise and experience he has brought to the table to ensure we effectively build and foster our relationship with the Nicaraguan military."

"I've actually enjoyed this time learning and training with Navy security and Nicaraguan military. Who knows? There may be a rate change in my future," said Sanchez. "I'm just kidding. I'm a Seabee to the heart, but this experience has been great!

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.

Nicaragua is the final country on the SPS 2011 mission. Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru also participated in SMEE's related to medicine, construction engineering, physical security, counter terrorism measures and civil affairs.

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.