U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Dan Meaney
CARIBBEAN SEA – A five-Sailor team from the Mexican navy ship ARM Independencia (P163) boarded HMS Severn (P282) yesterday during a simulated Visit Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercise as part of the maritime phase II of the Tradewinds 2015 exercise.
This is the second such simulation made by the Mexican Sailors during Tradewinds – an important skill in a region where drug and human trafficking are a problem.
“The VBSS exercise was a successful event today,” said Lt. James Carles, a U.S. Navy Sailor temporarily embarked on the British Royal Navy ship as a translator. “It was great working with our partner the Mexican Navy and building on each other’s knowledge and experience when it comes to maritime interdiction operations.”
Two Sailors from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark (WPC-1106) and LCDR Aceion Prescott of the Jamaican Defense Forces Coast Guard were also aboard Severn as part of the international exercise.
Royal British Navy Sailors played the part of smugglers during the exercise, having stashed fake caches of drugs and weapons aboard Severn for the Mexican team to discover.
“My ship’s company and I really enjoy being a part of these exercises,” said LCDR Steven Banfield, Severn’s Commanding Officer. “It’s been a true privilege to be able to assist in all the excellent training we’ve participated in here during the maritime phase of Tradewinds.”
Tradewinds is a combined, joint U.S Southern Command-sponsored exercise and an opportunity for the participating partner nations to come together to enhance regional maritime security.