Jamaica and US naval forces conducts marine drill in Caribbean Sea

The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard patrol vessel HMJS George William Gordon carried out a bi-lateral naval exercise in the Caribbean Sea. During the practice, Sioux City deployed her 11-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and MH-60S Sea hawk added to the “Sea Knights” of Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 to adjust with George William Gordon. Forces practiced a series of tactical shipboard actions, forms, and vectoring, as well as tested management and control abilities. The training assisted in enhancing interoperability and showing the strategic cooperation with the Jamaican Defence Force that assists in enhancing capacities against shared warnings. “Coordinating with allies in the area is always a worthy training moment,” said Cmdr. Wade Smith, commanding officer of Sioux City. “Training collectively gives the support we require for whatever marine difficulties may occur.”

Bi-lateral obligations allow both fleets to encourage tactical willingness for future orders, support eagerness at sea, and aid extended dedication to security and stability in the area.

“This activity was a chance to prepare technical tactics with our Jamaican counterparts and tackle different difficulties that only show themselves when operating unitedly with another team for the first time,” said Lt. j.g. Sean Hinchey, Navigation Officer aboard Sioux City. “It is strong joint works like this that improve our capacity to work together as trained sailors and guarantees our behaviour is felt long past our substantial departure from the operating area. ”Sioux City is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of employment to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which involves counter illegal drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet continued U.S. Southern Command’s joint and joined service operations by employing naval forces in collective naval security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build lasting connections in order to improve regional security and support peace, stability and success in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.