USNS Spearhead First Deployment Judged a Success
The U.S. Navy informs that its first -in-class joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) has left the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, after more than three months of operating in the European and African theaters. "I am extremely proud of the work Spearhead has achieved in theater, primarily for her efforts in supporting Africa Partnership Station and the pillars that program represents," said Vice Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, who recently visited the ship during a port visit in Gabon. "I commend the Sailors and civilians who performed superbly over the course of their work here in U.S. 6th Fleet. Since entering the theater in late January…
Liberian Coast Guard Trains on USCGC Mohawk
Seven crew members from the newly activated Liberian Coast Guard (LCG) spent 10 days at sea with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) crew off the coast of western Africa August 13-23, 2010. Since February 11, 2010, when the LCG was activated, Liberia's Coast Guard has been training personnel to secure Liberia's regional exclusive economic zone. The LCG has been working with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other nations' coast guards and navies to develop their maritime capability and capacities.
MPS Squadron One Changes Command
The leadership of Military Sealift Command’s 6th Fleet-based Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron One, or MPS Squadron One, changed hands May 22 in Corfu, Greece, with the outgoing commander Capt. Clay Saunders being relieved by Capt. William Sheehan during a ceremony held aboard the squadron’s flagship USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo. The ships of MPS Squadron One – MSC ships Bobo and USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat – are forward deployed year-round in the European and African theaters, strategically prepositioning military cargo at-sea for quick delivery ashore in the event of any fast-breaking military or humanitarian crises. While Bobo and Wheat are noncombatant cargo ships crewed by merchant mariners, the squadron is commanded by a Navy captain and a military staff embarked aboard the flagship.
Swift Assists Vessel in Distress Off Liberian Coast
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Campbell, Africa Partnership Station Public AffairsWhile transiting off the coast of Monrovia, Liberia as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS), March 20 High Speed Vessel 2 Swift received a distress call, relayed from the Maritime Regional Coordination Center (RMCC) in Lisbon, of a Portuguese fishing vessel, the Princesa Di Guadiana, stranded 100 nautical miles off the Liberian Coast with no food, water or fuel. The RMCC contacted Lt. Cmdr. Jose Neto of the Portuguese Navy, who is the APS operations officer aboard the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), APS flag ship. Cap Lara, a Greek flagged vessel, remained in the vicinity until Swift arrived to assist the Princesa.
