MORGAN CITY, La. (NNS) -- Through a partnership with the U.S. Navy and U.S. industry designed to help bolster Iraq's maritime security, 50 Iraqi Sailors graduated from patrol boat training during a ceremony July 15 at the Swiftships Shipbuilding facility in Morgan City, La.
The training was held to support the Iraq government as it prepares to take possession of the first of 15 35-meter patrol boats (PBs).
"During the last 90 days we challenged you with a lot of information and expectation. You learned a great deal - core fundamentals, boat systems, navigation, integrated watch standing, seamanship and damage control," said Capt. Ed "Junior" Turner, commanding officer, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA), during his remarks at the ceremony. "While the primary goal of the course was to teach you how to drive, maintain and deploy your newly purchased and constructed patrol boats, it's important to remember that taking ownership and operating these boats will truly be the key to enhancing your country's maritime security".
The sailors arrived for training in mid-April 2010 to learn how to use their newly purchased 35-meter PBs. During their training, they lived at Swiftships' temporarily constructed training village, adjacent to the shipyard.
Prior to graduating, the students completed a 90-day blended training program, which consisted of instructor-led classroom training, integrated scenario-based simulator training and underway familiarization aboard a 35-meter PB.
U.S. Navy
