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Navy Europe Sailors Reach Out in West Africa

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050726-12
Release Date: 7/26/2005 8:58:00 PM

By Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John R. Brophy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet

GABON, Africa (NNS) -- One-hundred ten reserve Sailors from Operational Health Support Unit Great Lakes, Ill., wrapped up the annual West African Training Cruise (WATC) exercise in the countries of Gabon and Cameroon, Africa, July 22.

The two-week exercise, sponsored by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, (CNE/C6F), was a Medical Outreach Program (MOP) designed for U.S. and African medical experts to exchange knowledge and techniques used to deal with a wide variety of regional illnesses.

“The West African Training Cruise Medical Outreach Program is an opportunity for the U.S. Navy to show its concern for the people of western and central Africa, and to learn from the expertise their medical professionals already have,” said Rear Adm. David Maserang, deputy director of the Medical Service Corps for Reserve Affairs.

“These exercises, which focus on regional health and wellbeing, are a very visible reminder of the American commitment toward the region,” he added during a ceremony in a local village.

The groups visited several villages in the two countries. With the help of students and other volunteers who served as interpreters, the American teams set up and managed on-site clinics where patients were evaluated to determine their needs. Among the services provided were general medical clinics, an eye clinic, a dental clinic and an immunization clinic.

In all, the two-country teams provided medical care to more than 13,000 residents of Gabon and Cameroon, treating conditions that ranged from diarrhea to AIDS.

“The mission has been a success due in large part to the coordinated efforts of both nations working together to overcome whatever obstacles we’ve encountered on a daily basis,” said Cmdr. Laurie Wesely, the officer in charge of the mission in Gabon.

Lt. Col. Ntsame Bang, commander of the Gabonese forces in the exercise, echoed her assessment, saying, “It was a pleasure to work with the American personnel and learn from their experience in this area.”

“The exercises in the Gulf of Guinea are great experiences and facilitate easier operations between the United States and the host African nations,” Wesely said.

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. "Boomer" Stufflebeem explained the importance of increasing regional cooperation in West Africa.

"Naval operational forces are providing relevant support to the ongoing global war on terrorism throughout Europe and Africa. International cooperation is essential to successfully winning the war against terrorism, and these engagements increase cooperation with regional partners,” said Stufflebeem.

WATC 05 is the third major U.S. 6th Fleet-sponsored engagement in the Gulf of Guinea in the last six months. USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) deployed to the region for maritime security training in February 2005, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bear (WMEC 901) just completed a similar maritime security training deployment to the region July 23.