Swift conducts TSC visit in Pointe Noire

Photo By Master Sgt. Jonathan Garcia | Capt. David Rollo, 6th Fleet Maritime Affairs officer for West Africa, is greeted by Capt. Charles Oyoko, chief of Congolese navy, Pointe Noire outside High Speed Vessel Swift. Swift is visiting several West African ports as part of Theater Security Cooperation engagements in preparation for APS. APS is an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan Garcia)  

POINTE NOIRE, CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

05.16.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Ensign Joe Keiley
HSV Swift Public Affairs

POINTE NOIRE, Republic of Congo – Congolese navy members stood in formation and greeted the crew of High Speed Vessel Swift after arriving in Pointe Noire to conduct a theater security cooperation visit as part of Africa Partnership Station 2012, May 15.

During the visit, members of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Africa 12-2, Security Cooperation Team Six, will conduct classroom engagements aboard Swift to share knowledge and skills with the Congolese military.

“We want to see their capabilities with everything from infantry skills to the gear they use,” said Marine Sgt. Oscar G. Crespo Gallegos, a SPMAGTF 12-2 instructor. “This is an area that deals with a lot of different situations, so we can adjust our classes based on what they’ve already seen before.”

As part of the training, members of the Congolese military will share basic infantry skills, hand-signal communication, non-lethal weapons tactics, and leadership lessons.

Sailors and Marines will also have time to interact with the local military, experience the local culture and build friendships.

“I’m looking forward to learning about the culture,” said Seaman Krystopher Weir. “But the most interesting part will be seeing the arts and crafts, and listening to the music.”

During the visit, Swift will offload water filtration units as part of Project Handclasp. Project Handclasp founded in 1962, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Navy. It accepts donations from individuals and organizations across the United States and the donations are then transported worldwide using available space on U.S. Navy ships.

Swift will continue to visit ports-of-call in Africa as it begins support of Africa Partnership Station. 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.

• Date Taken: 05.16.2012
• Date Posted: 05.16.2012 10:44
• Story ID: 88494
• Location: POINTE NOIRE, CD