Djibouti. (November 12, 2022): U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James Padden, a Coastal Riverine Squadron Captain assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, drives a Sea Ark Dauntless patrol boat, a craft now being shipped to Ukraine to help fight the Russians on the Dnipro River.

Djibouti. (November 12, 2022): The Dnipro River drives through the heart of Ukraine, at 1,400 miles it is the fourth largest river in Europe.

For the Russian invaders, it is a natural protective barrier for their beleaguered forces as they retreat from city of Kherson. For the Ukrainians, the Dnipro is an opportunity to press their attacks against the invaders to drive them from their land. Control of the Dnipro, therefore, is vital to victory for both sides.

The United States has been sending Sea Ark Dauntless patrol boats to help the Ukrainians gain the upper hand in this important waterway. The Dauntless Sea Ark, produced by the North Carolina based  U.S. Watercraft, is an aluminum vessel with a deep vee hull design that can carry up to seven tons. The Dauntless is standard for U.S. force protection at ports around the world and is a much-needed asset for Ukraine. Its current riverine force, called the Ukraine Navy Dnipro River Squadron, is made up largely of converted fishing and pleasure vessels. The Dauntless offers these embattled forces many new capabilities. These relatively small craft can transport up to 13 troops into battle and it also serves as a weapons platform for the .50 caliber machine gun. Armed and armored, the Dauntless is often used in Special Operations missions due to its range and top speed.

Watching the Russians flee Kherson, we can be certain the Dauntless and American know-how played a crucial role in freeing the innocent people of Ukraine. Our troops are deployed around the world, right now, protecting our way of life from the horror the Ukrainians have experienced. Won’t you take a moment, right now, to help us send a little bit of comfort their way to boost their spirits during the holidays? You can join the thousands of Americans who make monthly contributions to Support Our Troops' Patriots Brigade^® which provides comfort items and recreational activities for our troops, particularly those deployed overseas. Please visit our secure website https://supportourtroops.org/donate to donate to America’s finest today!