Gulfport’s first-ever AFP embark

GULFPORT, Miss. - Military and civil service mariner members of Southern Partnership Station-Expeditionary Fast Transport 2017 (SPS-EPF 17) successfully completed the first-ever adaptive force package (AFP) embarkation and deployment from July 18 in Gulfport. SPS-EPF 17 team members loaded USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) with nearly 800,000 pounds of cargo, including construction equipment and medical supplies, to support partner capacity building and subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) operations in Central and South America. AFPs are specialized teams of U.S. service members from the fields of engineering, force protection and medical. The service members are deployed aboard the civil service mariner-operated Spearhead to collaborate with partner-nation military forces through naval-focused training exercises, military-to-military engagements, and community relations projects. This year's engagements are scheduled to take place in Honduras, Guatemala, Chile and Colombia. Spearhead was moored at the Port of Gulfport, less than three miles from Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, which was essential for the quick cargo transport and loading operation. (Source: Southern Partnership Station 07/18.17)