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HSV 2 Swift Headed to Haiti to Complete Busy Southern Partnership Station 2011

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110406-02
4/6/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leona Mynes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- High speed vessel (HSV) 2 Swift moored at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, April 5, nearing the end of a 155-day deployment as part of Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011.

While in port Guantanamo Bay, Swift loaded approximately 130 metric tons of food which will be delivered to Haiti before transiting to Mayport, Fla.

Swift's arrival in Mayport will mark the end to its SPS 2011 deployment in the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and Naval Forces Southern Command areas of responsibility.

During SPS 2011, Swift visited nine countries, completing subject matter expert information exchanges, construction projects, and Project Handclasp missions with U.S. partner nations. Swift also made two port visits to Guantanamo Bay to take on fuel.

"It has been the most rewarding deployment of my career," said Cmdr. Mark Becker, Swift's mission commander for SPS 2011. "Every country we visited fell in love with Swift."

During the tour, the crew, which includes a Marine Corps training and advisory group (MCTAG), a maritime civil affairs security training (MCAST) team, a Navy Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) team, medical personnel and Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 28, were commended for their expertise and professionalism.

"The crew had no liberty incidents the entire tour," said Becker. "This crew was astounding and able to get 'bravo zulus' from three foreign chiefs of naval operations, four U.S. ambassadors, and from senior leadership at USSOUTHCOM and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command."

The recognition was directly related to crewmembers' dedication while completing 20 high-impact humanitarian construction projects in six of seven partner nations, and for delivering more than 230,000 tons of humanitarian and civic assistance, including equipment, medical supplies, and food and water.

The missions were completed quickly due to Swift's ability to carry more than 600 metric tons of cargo and support of up to 130 personnel comfortably, said Becker.

"I'd say Swift is the premiere platform for this type of mission," said Becker. "When we go to a destination, we are able to travel with an approved speed of advance (SOA) at 25 knots because Swift was made of 90 percent aluminum, so it is very light. This allows us to quickly accomplish our mission."

Most Navy ships are authorized an SOA of approximately 14 knots.

During the past two years, Swift has been in its homeport of Norfolk, Va., for less than three days.

"In Mayport, Swift will offload its crew and another will replace us," said Becker. "Then Swift will depart Mayport for Africa Partnership Station 2011."