BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – Enterprise, Alabama native U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Anna V. Blank is in St. Kitts, along with other U.S service members and over 20 Caribbean partner nations’ government, industrial and civic organizations, taking part in exercise Tradewinds 2018.
Tradewinds is a combined, joint exercise conducted in three phases that helps build the capacity of Caribbean nations to respond to natural disasters, land and maritime threats and illicit trafficking.
Blank, along with the crew of the fast response cutter USCGC Joseph Tezanos (WPC 1118) based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, are training partner nations’ coast guard members on weapons tactics and gunnery, search and rescue, personnel recovery, pursuit and boarding, and vessel towing procedures.
“That’s what we’re doing here at St’ Kitts and Tradewinds,” said Blank. “Teaching other coast guards how we do what we do, and sharing information and tips.”
The exercise also benefits the U.S. crew members by educating and preparing new members by experiencing situations that they don’t encounter every day.
“It’s definitely beneficial for the whole crew,” said Blank. “Just getting experience doing different things and we’re constantly getting new crew members on board so they get experience.”
There are approximately 1,700 U.S. military, partner nation security, and civilian personnel participating in the exercise. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command with the goal of building and sustaining enduring relationships throughout the Caribbean nations.
Phase one of Tradewinds began June 4, 2018, and will continue through June 13, 2018. Phase two of the exercise will take place in the Bahamas and phase three will be held in Miami.