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Africa Partnership Station Continues Training in Mayumba

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080225-14
Release Date: 2/25/2008 3:41:00 PM

By L.t. j.g. Megan Shutka, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

MAYUMBA, Gabon (NNS) -- Africa Partnership Station (APS) aboard High Speed Vessel 2 Swift arrived off the coast of Mayumba, Gabon, Feb. 25, marking the ship's fourth APS engagement.

One week earlier, Swift made a brief stop in Mayumba to disembark a team from Expeditionary Training Command (ETC), as well as representatives of the Navy's Meteorology and Oceanography community for training with the Gabonese Navy, Fisheries, National Parks, and Merchant Navy and the non-governmental organization (NGO) Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

"During the APS planning process, training needs in support of fisheries control and surveillance efforts at Mayumba National Park were identified by WCS," said Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell, a civil affairs planner from Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 2, and the NGO activities coordinator for APS. "With the help of ETC, we were able to put together a training package to meet some of the needs of a variety of maritime security stakeholders here in Mayumba."

ETC is providing small boat handling, navigation and maintenance training to a diverse group.

"What makes this training unique is that it was facilitated by an NGO and includes not only a military training audience, but civilian maritime agencies with similar needs as well," Bell said.

In addition to the training, the Navy Meteorology and Oceanography team is taking part in a series of meetings with WCS to better understand the NGO's priorities. The team is also conducting a site survey to help determine the feasibility of a bathymetric survey proposal for the area that has been submitted by WCS.

The visit will also consist of community relations activities at four local schools in Mayumba, where the U.S. Navy Band from Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa Brass Quintet will be performing.

APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led initiative, executed by a multi-national staff aboard Swift and amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) to promote maritime safety and security.

During its deployment, Swift will work with various government and non-government organizations to support ongoing regional meteorological and oceanography initiatives, host fisheries training events, and deliver humanitarian aid to African nations.

Overseen by a joint staff representing navies of eight European, African and North American countries, APS ships are visiting ports in Senegal, Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe, Togo and other African countries to conduct training, complete humanitarian projects and build partnerships among participating nations.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Commander, 6th Fleet or Africa Partnership Station, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur/.