High-Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 departed Lora Naval Base in Split, Croatia after a three-day port visit, April 6.
During the visit, Swift’s crew hosted several tours, including a visit from Croatian Assistant Minister of Defense Dr. Dragan Lozancic, U.S. Senator Mark Bagich, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia James B. Foley and Rear Adm. Ante Urlich, Croatian chief of naval operations .
Each event is tied with theater security cooperation (TSC), which focuses on fostering military-to-military contact with regional maritime forces. TSC is a important mission for U.S. 6th Fleet.
While in port, U.S. Marine Corps instructors from the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted a non-lethal weapons class for members of the Croatian coast guard and navy.
“We did some live firing, so they could get a feel for the weaponry,” said Staff Sgt. John DuBarry , one of the non-lethal weapons instructors. “We also did some scenario-based situations with boarding procedures… by giving them education on how and when non-lethal weapons can be employed.”
More than 20 Croatian sailors took part in the course, which concluded with an exercise highlighting the use of non-lethal weapons.
Swift, homeported out of Norfolk, Va., is a U.S. Military Sealift Command-chartered High-Speed Vessel, and is currently deployed to the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of theater security cooperation efforts.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , April 10, 2012; Image: navy