• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Kauffman Strengthens Relationships in Gabon

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070216-19
Release Date: 2/16/2007 1:38:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Dallas, Commander, Naval Forces Europe/ Commander, 6th Fleet Public Affairs

PORT GENTIL, Gabon (NNS) -- As part of Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander, 6th Fleet’s (CNE-C6F) long-term strategy to improve maritime security and safety in the Gulf of Guinea region, USS Kauffman (FFG 59) completed a four-day port visit here Feb. 14.

Kauffman officers and Sailors conducted activities during the port visit designed to strengthen relationships with the West Central African nation: a basketball tournament that produced a nail-biting game between Kauffman Sailors and a local team and a community relations project at a local school.

During a visit to Port Gentil in 2006, Sailors from USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) donated tables and chairs to the same school. This year, Kauffman Sailors followed up by painting the exterior walls in an attempt to make the lives of the more than 1,200 Gabonese students a little brighter.

While Kauffman Sailors did their part to improve relationships, Destroyer Squadron 60 Commander Capt. John Nowell; Cmdr. Chris Rhoden, Kauffman’s commanding officer; and Katherine Dhanani, American Embassy deputy chief of mission, made official calls with the mayor, provincial governor and regional military commander.

“We are learning a lot during these meetings with key leaders,” said Nowell, who is currently embarked aboard Kauffman. “We are committed to improving the maritime capability of our African partners like Gabon. Working closely with the American Embassy demonstrates that we are part of a larger U.S. government team effort to enhance stability in this region.”

To help accomplish these goals, Navy and Coast Guard ships conducted training with African military units during port visits. On the final day in Port Gentil, Kauffman Sailors provided their expertise to Gabonese Sailors in hands-on damage control and first aid training. By helping African partners like Gabon build core competencies and capabilities, Kauffman Sailors were making strides to improve maritime security in the region.

“Being here and getting involved in the training of Gabonese Sailors and painting the school during our (community relations) project has made a very positive impact,” said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Brian Farish. “Hearing the students and Sailors say how proud they were of us and what we were doing is something I won’t forget.”

A task force comprised of Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of the Destroyer Squadron 60 staff are currently deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen regional maritime partnerships.