ODESA, Ukraine — Navy Reserve Maritime Partnership Program Detachment 513 led logistics support for Exercise Sea Breeze 2021, a multi-national maritime exercise held in the Black Sea and Ukraine and co-hosted by U.S. 6th Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy annually since 1997.
MPP Det 513 is an expeditionary reserve unit attached to Navy Operations Support Center (NOSC) Great Lakes, Ill., with capabilities designed to support specialized naval warfare training of allied and partner nations.
Information Systems Technician Second Class Sergio Ambelis Diaz, a Reserve Sailor assigned to MPP Det 513, was mobilized to participate in Sea Breeze 2021.
“When I joined the Navy Reserve, I never imagined I would have such an impact during my two weeks of annual training,” said Diaz. “Our Ukrainian partners were so gracious and thankful for our support and the opportunity to train together; U.S. Sailors were all treated as close friends at each and every event.”
Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 brought together troops, units and equipment from 32 countries across six continents, including 32 ships, 40 aircraft and 18 special units and dive teams, enhancing the interoperability of participating nations and strengthening maritime security within the region.
At the direction of U.S. 6th Fleet, MPP Det 513 led logistics support for the provisioning of more than 2.5 million liters of fuel and 30,000 meals, while also providing infrastructure and other sustainment for all 32 participating countries at 14 different locations throughout Ukraine. MPP Det 513 also integrated and trained with Ukrainian maritime forces.
Unit leaders credited the participation of highly trained and dedicated Navy Reserve Sailors with a wealth of professional expertise to the successful mission.
“I never realized that the U.S. Navy worked with so many international partners,” said Diaz. “Having the opportunity to meet and interact with over 30 countries was an experience I will never forget.”
MPP Det 513 is always looking for the best and brightest Sailors in the Navy Reserve. Reserve Sailors interested in serving with MPP Det 513 are invited to contact unit executive officer, Cmdr. Dave Shaulis, at
David.Shaulis@navy.mil.
For more information about Exercise Sea Breeze 2021, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Seabreeze2021, or search “Exercise Sea Breeze” on Navy.mil, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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