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Swift Continues APS Mozambique Mission in Nacala

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120618-03
6/18/2012

From High Speed Vessel Swift 2 Public Affairs

NACALA, Mozambique (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command-chartered High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 arrived in Nacala, Mozambique June 17 for a five-day port visit supporting Africa Partnership Station (APS) East 2012.

The visit comes after Swift spent seven days in Maputo, Mozambique, marking the second visit there in two years. This marks the ship's 10th stop in Africa since departing Rota, Spain in May.

Sailors and Marines embarked on board Swift, including agents and personnel from Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) will facilitate information exchanges on topics like leadership, port security, martial arts and fire team tactics.

Swift's top officers will meet with local Mozambique navy and military and civilian leaders in the interest of building relationships and friendships to aid future visits, a hallmark of the APS program.

The crew is also set to participate in several community outreach events to include a friendly soccer match with Mozambique service members and a visit to an orphanage in a Nacala neighborhood.

At the end of the week, the information exchange will conclude with close to 30 new graduates ready to take their knowledge back to their peers and superiors in either the Mozambique military or port security officials.

Navy Detachment Officer-in-Charge Lt. Cmdr. Charles Eaton said that a second port stop to Mozambique serves to enhance the growing relationship between the two countries.

"This will probably be the only visit from Americans the people in this port will see this year. I expect the crew to do themselves and the ship proud as they take the chance to get out and participate in the events we have planned," said Eaton.

"Our role as ambassadors of the Navy and of APS will go a long way here in strengthening our future ability to provide more opportunities for information exchange and goodwill events," said Eaton.

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.