Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

The HSV-2 Swift, one of the world's fastest and most advanced United States navy vessels.

Port Antonio, Portland:

One of the world's fastest and most advanced United States (US) navy vessels docked at the Boundbrook Wharf in Port Antonio yesterday, its final stop in a six-month deployment to the Caribbean and Central America.

The High Speed Vessel (HSV) - 2 Swift, which serves as the pilot platform for the US Navy's Global Fleet Station (GFF), will remain in Port Antonio for two weeks, during which time the crew is expected to carry out a series of trainings involving the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the police.

Bilateral activities

"It is important to share ideas, suggestions and experience in working together for a just cause," said captain Douglas Weid, task group commander of HSV - 2 Swift, adding that "task group personnel are to conduct bilateral engagement activities with Jamaica's security forces."

The bilateral training activities are to include combat, life saving, medical training, maintenance management, and U.S. marine corps small unit training. Additionally, the Task Group plans to host a series of events with national and parish dignitaries, as well as, with the media.

Training in security procedures, involving more than one hundred police and JDF personnel, will begin this morning.

The U.S. navy crew will also carry out refurbishing work on sections of the Titchfield High School, along with handing over medical equipment and surgical supplies to the Port Antonio hospital.

Reason for mission

Captain Weid said the mission was one way of promoting sharing maritime security procedures to deal with common problems including terrorism, piracy, narcotics and natural disaster.

The HSV - 2 Navy Vessel is an aluminium hulled, wave piercing catamaran capable of reaching speeds exceeding 45 knots. Its speed, mobility, size and flexibility makes it an ideal platform for sea-based, multinational security corporation engagement.