Ambassador Uyehara handed over valuable equipment of US to the Navy of AF MNE

Ambassador of United States of America in Montenegro, Margaret Ann Uyehara handed over equipment for detection of underwater unexploded ordnance which valued over $280,000.00. The donation from the American government was turned over to the Navy of Montenegro today in Tivat. The donation included a boat for the exploration of the seabed with the accompanying equipment: sonar, magnetometer, other advanced electronic devices, and software. 

During the ceremony organized at the Naval Heritage Collection in Porto Montenegro, the Ambassador also presented certificates to six members of the Navy of Montenegro and three members of the United States Navy who successfully completed training in the operations of the sonars and magnetometers which are used to locate unexploded ordnance on the seabed.

The American Ambassador pointed out that the joint exercises and trainings such as this one which was executed in the cooperation with European Command of the American Armed Forces, are very important in the process of strengthening cooperation of the two countries, and at the same time promote interoperability of the Montenegrin Armed Forces.  

Lieutenant Commander Branislav Gloginja expressed his gratitude for an extremely valuable donation and emphasized the contributions of their American colleagues who since 2012 have shared knowledge and experience with the members of the Montenegrin Navy. He reminded the audience of the donation from 2013 when the US Government donated equipment to the Navy of Montenegro which helped locate over 14 tonnes of explosive devices.

Mr. Mark Veneris from US EUCOM pointed out that the training and donation are the result of the long cooperation of two countries' Navies.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Defense for Montenegro, Admiral Dragan Samardzic who handed over recognition letters to the instructors from United States.