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Africa Partnership Station Journeys to the Island of Principe

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080316-03
Release Date: 3/16/2008 10:57:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Jason Morris, Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

PRINCIPE, Sao Tome and Principe (NNS) -- Africa Partnership Station (APS), in partnership with Project Handclasp, delivered three pallets of medical supplies, children's toys and sewing workshops to the Manuel Quaresma Dras de Graca hospital and local secondary schools here, March 12.

On the recommendation of the host nation military and the U.S. Embassy, members of APS and Sailors from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) traveled over 90 miles to reach the island of Principe in a mechanized landing craft unit, a detachment of Naval Beach Group 2, home ported in Norfolk.

"It was a high priority to arrange this visit to Principe to donate these needed charitable items," said Lt. j.g. Colleen Bowers, Project Handclasp liaison officer to APS and communications officer aboard Fort McHenry. "With the help of the Sao Tome and Principe Armed Forces and government officials, we are building strong partnerships and relationships between our two countries."

APS and Fort McHenry Sailors off loaded the supplies and transported them with the help of the Principe Ministry of Health. Upon completion of the donations, the APS band performed for the citizens of Principe in the town square.

"The medical supplies will greatly help our people, the citizens of Principe depend upon this hospital for emergent care," said Carlos Gomez, Minister of Health for Principe. "This donation will allow the medical staff to treat additional patients and help relieve suffering. We are very happy to see APS in Principe and hope that it will travel here again."

It is through these types of events that APS is able to build lasting partnerships with countries in West and Central Africa.

Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa.

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.

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