Naval Special Warfare Command hosted a visit by Romanian Navy chief of staff to Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) and Special Boat Team 22 (SBT-22) Aug. 4-5.
During the visit to the units at the John C. Stennis Space Center (MS), Deputy Commander Naval Special Warfare Command Rear Adm. Garry Bonelli showed Adm. Gheorge Marin key aspects of training and partnership building efforts taking place in these facilities.
"Creating and sustaining relationships is a vital part of our mission," said Bonelli. "Reaching out to other navies and sharing visions for the future, and how to get there, is a fundamental way to strengthen those bonds."
The mission of NAVSCIATTS is to provide partner nation security forces with the highest level of riverine and littoral craft operations and maintenance technical training. The school, which usually runs ten courses simultaneously for members of up to 20 countries, is adjacent to SBT-22, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) premiere riverine command. Both are operated predominantly by Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, SOCOM's maritime mobility experts and some of the best mariners in the world.
"I was impressed with the facilities and the range of specialized training the curriculum covers," said Marin. "It would be very interesting to continue training for our special units of the Romanian Navy at such a professional and highly qualified training command. This kind of partnership would be beneficial for the Romanian Navy in its endeavor to maintain security in the Black Sea region."
NAVSCIATTS has been conducting security force assistance since 1963 to prepare partner nation forces to conduct small craft operations in riverine and littoral environments, as well as develop and professional and personal relationships. The affiliation with Romania included eight students who attended in-resident courses from 2003-2005. Also in 2003, a mobile training team visited Romania to provide in depth follow-on training.
This mission is closely aligned with the Navy's maritime strategy of increasing security and alliances in waterways across the globe. With this waterborne mission, it is natural for NAVSCIATTS to fall under NSWG-4, U.S. Special Operations Command's (SOCOM) maritime mobility component.
During the visit, Marin walked through the school house and observed a variety of classes, received briefs on the functions of both commands and participated in a capability demonstration of the Special Operations Craft-Riverine, operated by SBT-22.
Kathryn Whittenberger (NNS)
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