Thaindian News

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (BNO NEWS) – The U.S. Navy is deploying a Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship and a Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) to the Caribbean to conduct training exercises with divers from the region, the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados said Wednesday.

U.S. Navy Ship Grasp and MDSU Two will be conducting Navy Diver- Southern Partnership Station (ND-SPS) 2010 between May 21 and June 22 in Barbados, Antigua, and the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dive operations will be conducted with the Regional Security System divers from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, the Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

ND-SPS 2010 is a U.S. Southern Command directed engagement between U.S. and partner nations designed to improve interoperability and partner nation capacity through cooperative diving operations. “The United States, Latin America and Caribbean island nations share common interests, and multinational engagements like ND-SPS foster friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding,” Lieutenant Commander Tim McAllister, ND-SPS 2010 Mission Commander, said.

MDSU will concentrate on sharing mission-focused skill sets and capabilities necessary to enhance security and salvage operations. This includes using international shipping and port security codes to proficiently and accurately conduct visual inspections of both piers and vessels.

Warrant Officer Two Guy Inzunza, Company 2-6 Officer in Charge went on to say that aside from the technical knowledge gained from this engagement, he and his team are looking forward to the opportunity to experience the rich culture of their host nations and to serve as goodwill ambassadors throughout the deployment.