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CTF 67 Begins Working with Ghanaian Military

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060808-05
Release Date: 8/8/2006 12:53:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

ACCRA, Ghana (NNS) -- Forty-two members of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe’s Task Force (CTF) 67 began working with their counterparts in the Ghanaian air force and navy in West Africa Aug. 5, to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The Sailors and pilots from the P-3 Orion squadron based in Sigonella, Sicily, will use the two weeks of information sharing to enhance security cooperation activities, and help the Gulf of Guinea nation improve its maritime security capability and capacity.

“This is a great opportunity for us to exchange information,” said CTF 67 Commodore, Capt. George Walter. “This visit will build our friendship, but it also bridges some professional aspects that allow us to continue this evolution to making Ghana a much better and stronger partner as we go forward.”

The CTF 67 detachment’s P-3, an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft, will be used to perform demonstrations of the Automatic Identification System, which identifies and tracks vessels at sea, for the Ghanaians. The American military will also have the opportunity to fly in one of the host nation’s military aircraft.

Additionally, CTF 67 personnel are expecting to meet and interact with local civilians during an upcoming community relations project that will involve landscaping and painting a preparatory school.

“The Ghanaian military has been incredibly receptive to our activities down here,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin O’Conner, the officer-in-charge of the CTF 67 detachment. “We have been showing them some of our systems and they have been allowing us to see how they operate. We are developing some synergy between our two militaries.”

For related news, visit the COMUSNAVEUR/COMSIXTHFLT Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur/.