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ND-SPS12 Concludes Stop in Guatemala

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120530-03
5/30/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Keck, Navy Dive-Southern Partnership Station 2012 Public Affairs

PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala (NNS) -- Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-1, deployed aboard the Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Grapple (T-ARS 53), concluded a three-week subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) with Guatemalan divers, May 24.

The SMEE, which was part of Navy Dive-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (ND-SPS 12), focused on scuba diving, working underwater with no visibility, underwater search techniques, and salvage techniques.

"We were able to exchange many new and useful techniques with the Guatemalan divers," said Navy Diver 1st Class Robert Roloff, assigned to Company 2-1. "We shared with them our procedures for supervising dives, and they shared their knowledge of low visibility underwater searches."

Divers from MDSU 2, along with members of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4 and civilian mariners deployed aboard Grapple, also volunteered their time to help out a local school. They spent a day painting the schoolhouse with the enthusiastic help of the students. In addition, they provided the school with new bookcases, school supplies, and sports equipment.

"We were happy that we were able to help and participate in this community relations project," said Lt. Cmdr. Tristan Wagner, mission commander of ND-SPS12.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.