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Africa Partnership Station Returns to Cameroon

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080220-08
Release Date: 2/20/2008 1:08:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Brian A. Goyak, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

LIMBE, Cameroon (NNS) -- Africa Partnership Stations (APS) arrived in Limbe, Feb. 20 for a return visit aboard Amphibious Dock Landing Ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).

APS is an international effort with the goal of increasing regional and maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.

The APS staff is a team comprised of African, European and American Sailors and Marines, all working towards a common goal, partnership in maritime safety and security. APS brings an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), maritime law, damage control training, and both officer and non-commissioned officer leadership courses.

"This training will be a great benefit to Cameroon because as you know one of the four pillars of maritime security is the training of maritime professionals," said Cameroon Navy Lt. Cmdr. Clement Fru Fon, APS staff training planner. "The training APS is providing will fulfill one of the pillars and so if we have sailors and marines that are well trained it will help in fostering maritime safety and security."

With APS, training is conducted as requested by the partner countries. In Cameroon, that means traditional military training, such as maintenance and small boat handling, plus a handful of specialty areas.

"During the first APS visit to Cameroon, there was a lot of basic training conducted with the Cameroonian Navy and Marine Corps. This time, Cameroon has requested that APS continue to provide the same basic courses to create a broad base of knowledge and skills," said Fru Fon. "In addition, we have also requested an advanced VBSS course along with an advanced port security class."

APS personnel not only provide training but also volunteer there time in a community relations project.

"The community relations project in Cameroon will be taking place at the Limbe Wildlife Center. We will be making some basic repairs to the center such as basic electrical repairs, painting, and carpentry work," said Lt. Sylvester Adamah, APS Humanitarian and Civic Affairs coordinator. "The first day at the center we will access the needed repairs and see what materials we can find locally."

APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led initiative, executed by a multi-national staff aboard Fort McHenry and High Speed Vessel 2 Swift. Commander Task Force 365 and training teams from various U.S. and European military commands, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations are embarked on board Fort McHenry to enhance cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services in West and Central Africa.

For more news from Africa Partnership Station, USS Fort McHenry or High Speed Vessel 2 Swift, visit www.navy.mil/local/lsd43/.