APS EAST For Immediate Release

HSV SWIFT/USS NICHOLAS PRESS RELEASE #027-10 March 3, 2010

APS Conducts Swift Crew Turnover

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Tracey L. Whitley,
Africa Partnership Station East Public Affairs

PORT VICTORIA, Seychelles – Africa Partnership Station (APS) East platform High

Speed Vessel Swift (HSV-2) conducted a regularly scheduled crew swap of their military

detachment while in port here, Mar. 2.

The crews, identified as “Gold” and “Blue,” are based out of Norfolk, Va., and conduct

official turn-over with one another approximately every four months. This turnover will send the

Gold crew back home to loved ones and provide the Blue crew with an opportunity to participate

in the final stages of APS East 2010.

For the Gold crew, the turnover process has been a smooth transition. According to

Boatswain’s Mate Chief James C. Yowell, command chief and senior enlisted advisor for the

Gold crew, his sailors can go back home feeling satisfied with the hard work they have put in

during their deployment.

“APS has provided a numerous amount of learning and growing experiences for the Gold

crew,” said Yowell. “By working with members of the international APS staff, we were all

given opportunities to build working relationships, which in-turn improved our ability to develop

lasting partnerships with African nations.”

The turnover process culminated with a farewell ceremony prior to the crew’s departure,

where Capt. James E. Tranoris, APS Commander, gave remarks and thanked the crew for their

efforts in enhancing maritime safety and security, then recognized a few sailors with awards for

their outstanding efforts.

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 “I really appreciate all of the hard work each one of you has put in during your time aboard,”

said Tranoris. “You’ve all performed with a high level of professionalism and deserve a lot of

credit for what you’ve accomplished here during this APS mission.”

APS East is an international cooperative initiative in support of Naval Forces Africa

which aims to unite international partners to enhance maritime safety and security throughout the

African continent.

APS East has been conducting missions along the east coast of Africa since 2008; however,

APS East 2010 marks the first year that the mission includes an international staff of partnering-

nations. A small group of staff officers from Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Tanzania, Brazil and

the U.S., work together to plan and execute the APS East mission.

Vital to the mission’s success is the support that the APS staff receives from the military

detachment crew aboard Swift. Gold crew officers and enlisted engaged with the APS staff on nearly

every detail of day-to-day operations for the APS mission. From the minute details of transportation

and providing lunches for the trainees, to the immense task of turning the grey tarmac of the Swift’s

helicopter landing pad into a graceful venue for hosting diplomatic receptions, the Gold crew made it

happen every step of the way.

Now that the hard work is completed for the Gold crew, their thoughts can turn back to those

awaiting them at home. “I am really looking forward to seeing my wife at the airport,” said Lt. Sean

Evenson, the Gold crew assistant officer in charge. With a quick grin, Evenson added, “and maybe,

just maybe, getting a back massage out of this deal.”

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 Swift and its 2010 APS East sister platform, the USS Nicholas (FFG 47), have visited

ports in Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles. The ships bring

teams of maritime experts from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps to provide training and

participate in exercises with their African counterparts. Combat lifesaving; damage control; law

of war; visit, board, search and seizure; small boat operations/maintenance and physical security

are just a few of the capabilities during in-port training.

In addition to the APS port visits, the Nicholas has conducted at-sea instruction with

approximately 60 east African ship riders. The trainees spend their time not only learning basic

watch-standing principles, leadership skills, damage control and engineering, but also building

relationships with sailors from around the globe.

Swift and Nicholas are on regular scheduled deployments within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of

responsibility. APS East is being conducted in cooperation with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces

Africa and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

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