MTX 4-23

Marines and sailors from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa pose for a picture with United States Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, during his visit with the African Partnership Station team aboard High-Speed Vessel Swift 2, in Douala, Cameroon, Aug. 29, 2012. HSV-2 Swift is an Australian built, privately-owned, privately-operated vessel that has been outfitted for the US Navy. Swift is crewed by civilian mariners who operate, navigate, and engineer the ship, and a military detachment that oversees theatre security cooperation efforts. APS is an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa is made up of over 120 Reserve Marines and sailors from 32 different units and supports U.S. Africa Command and Marine Forces Africa by conducting Department of State sponsored security cooperation missions in the continent of Africa. (Left to right) Lt. Col. Gerard Wynn, commanding officer of Special Purpose-MAGTF Africa, Gunnery Sgt. Chad Fordyce, Navy Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul McNair, Staff Sgt. Garrick Galvez, Cpl. Peter Byron, Sgt. Seth Cornfield, Lance Cpl. Zachary Hornaday, Cpl. Derick Molina, Sgt. Andrew Ngo, Sgt. Maj. James Adams, Sgt. Maj. of Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa.