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Coast Guard Cutter Dallas Advances Maritime Partnership with Sao Tome and Principe

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080707-06
Release Date: 7/7/2008 3:21:00 PM

By Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Tasha Tully, USCGC Dallas Public Affairs

USCGC DALLAS (WHEC 716), At sea (NNS) -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) concluded a five-day visit to the West African island-nation of Sao Tome and Principe, July 2.

Dallas, a 378-foot cutter home ported in Charleston, S.C., is currently deployed off the coast of West and Central Africa in support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe's Africa Partnership Station (APS) initiative.

During the crew's visit, Eunice S. Reddick, U.S. Ambassador for Sao Tome and Principe, hosted a reception in honor of Sao Tome's Independence Day June 26. Dallas' commanding officer and several crewmembers attended the reception and were able to discuss theater security training and operations with members of the new government in Sao Tome.

In addition, Dallas crewmembers toured the Sao Tome and Principe Coast Guard's operations center and discussed maritime awareness issues and ways to enhance their existing systems. Dallas crewmembers also assisted by troubleshooting engineering problems with several of the Sao Tome Coast Guard's small boats.

From June 27 to July 2, Sao Tome Coast Guard personnel came aboard Dallas and practiced maritime law-enforcement tactical-team movements, small-boat operations, as well as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) familiarization. Immediate feedback was given to each participant regarding techniques, tactics and procedures in order to provide the most beneficial learning environment.

"The training we have received aboard Dallas will be very beneficial to our coast guard," said 2nd Lt. Ramoon Nascimento, a Sao Tome Coast Guard officer. "Next time we would like to have more of our coast guard members attend and train for a longer period of time."

The multi-national coast guard members also conducted passenger exercises in order to allow the Sao Tome Coast Guard officers a first-hand view of the various vessels transiting the Sao Tome and Principe exclusive economic zone. Dallas identified both fishing and commercial vessels and demonstrated the value of over-the-horizon patrol capabilities.

"I first came to Sao Tome three years ago, and it was impressive to come back and see the new capabilities of the Sao Tomean Coast Guard to bolster their maritime security," said Capt. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of Dallas. "It clearly shows that persistent efforts like APS really do make a difference in helping our African partners."

APS is a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led long-term initiative with a goal of enabling maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa. The program operates with the cooperative support of a variety of military, governmental and non-governmental organizations from the U.S., Africa and Europe.

For more news from COMNAVEUR/COMSIXTHFLT, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur/.