It happened quietly, without much media coverage, against the backdrop of ongoing fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and Pakistan. In October, the U.S. Navy amphibious ship Fort McHenry sailed from Italy, bound for the West African coast with a contingent of sailors, doctors, scientists, aid workers and military trainers. Alongside the High-Speed Vessel Swift, Fort McHenry settled in for a long stay. The medical staff treated sick kids. The scientists partnered with local researchers to study environmental damage. The trainers hosted classes for African military personnel. It was, in a word, revolutionary — a smooth blend of military, technical, scientific and humanitarian outreach that will do more to further U.S. interests than any pitched battle against insurgents. And it hugely advanced the Navy’s “seabasing” concept.
Now, after six months, Fort McHenry is wrapping up its mission. But the “African Partnership (Global Fleet) Station” (nxtbook!) isn’t going away. A new ship and new people will take Fort McHenry‘s place. And according to a Pentagon spokesperson I chatted with this morning, the new station might be manned mostly by the U.S. Coast Guard!
Related posts:
Bad news travels faster than good news.
[...] It’s not the February satellite shoot-down. It’s not even the debate raging over aircraft carriers’ vulnerability to submarines. No, the “most important Navy story so far in 2008,” according to naval blogger Galrahn, is the just-wrapped “Africa Partnership Station.” The kicker? “Almost no one in the country heard about it.” I touched on the Africa station a couple weeks back. This “mini sea-base” built around the USS Fort McHenry amphibious ship patrolled the West African coast, handed out humanitarian aid and helped train friendly militaries. It’s that kind of pro-active outreach that encourages stability and prevents war. And with pirates stepping up activity across the world’s oceans, patrol presence is more important than ever. [...]