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.
Just how active was the station? Cue Navy press release!
Over the course of seven months, APS has visited 19 ports of call in 10 countries and trained over 1500 maritime professionals in skills ranging from small boat handling, port security, and martial arts to non-commissioned officer leadership, damage control, and maritime law.
“We have been working with our partners in many European countries. The French have been down here with a number of ships and we have been working very closely with them,” said Rear Adm. Anthony M. Kurta, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. “The staff of APS has also been very international in nature; we’ve had representatives from Portugal, France, Germany, and England as well as many staff members from our African partners as well.”
Additionally, APS worked with non-governmental organizations such as Project Handclasp, USAID, and Project Hope to bring relief and aid to many people in need. With the help of APS, Project Hope was able to donate five hundred thousand high nutritional meals, twenty-five pallets of medical, hygiene and educational supplies along with hospital beds and medical equipment valued at over one hundred thousand dollars.
The second Africa station sets sail late this year. I’ve been invited to attend. Hopefully round two won’t be ignored like the first station was.
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Dave,
That would be awesome if you were to go, particularly because I believe it is focused on the east side of Africa.
Half a million meals delivered by Project Hope in Liberia. Not bad considering that port is in shambles. That Sea Base they set up off Liberia with the INLS, that was the magic moment.
David, GO! Working with amphibious sailors lets you see a side of the Navy no one understands. Those guys do their jobs every day, busting their butts with little recognition.
[...] During its October-to-April cruise, [amphibious ship] Fort McHenry visited 19 ports in 10 countries, from Liberia to Senegal, supporting scientists, aid workers and military trainers from the U.S. and allied militaries — and delivering half a million meals to starving families. The Pentagon calls the vessel’s mix of training, diplomacy, science and humanitarian assistance the “Africa Partnership Station,” and aims to make it a regular affair. [...]
I was on that deployment, one comment is right though gator sailors are tthe hardest working sailors in the fleet especially for deck personnel. I’ll tell you this much, that deployment was hell and wouldn’t wish it on anyone we lost two sailors which didnt get much coverage, they were murdered in Ghana.
[...] In late 2007 the Navy launched a new “soft-power” deployment to West and Central Africa. The so-called African Partnership Station is a rotating force of trainers, humanitarians and engineers operating from U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships and aircraft, with a mission of building up African security forces. APS is part of a wider initiative to set up permanent soft-power stations in key spots around the globe, including Latin America and Asia. And it’s the most important naval news story in years. [...]
hi i wil be on USS Nashville from 2morow for trainning. look me up. our training started 2day.
c u.