• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

U.S., Tanzanian Peoples Defense Leadership Emphasize Role of APS

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110809-03
8/9/2011

By Lt. Cmdr. Suzanna Brugler, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Resources and Plans met with the Chief of the Tanzanian Navy and the Chief of Training and Operations for the Tanzania Peoples Defense Force (TPDF) during USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) Dar Es Salaam port visit, Aug. 3.

The port visit was in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East´s Tanzania hub.

During his visit, Rear Adm. Kenneth K.J. Norton spoke with the Tanzanian military leaders about APS engagement, emphasizing that the program promotes learning opportunities for not only East African participants, but for U.S. service members as well.

While meeting with Chief of the Tanzanian Navy, Maj. Gen. Saidi Shabani Omar, at the Dar Es Salaam navy base, Norton said, "Our goal is to help facilitate engagement among our East African partners; we want to be part of the team."

He went on to explain that over time, the relationship between APS East and its East African partner nations is continuing to grow and develop. "APS has helped build friendships and relationships over the past 3-4 years. What we want is to enhance our engagement; to continue to improve upon best practices for the exchange of ideas."

Omar led the discussion over Tanzania´s top maritime priorities: piracy, illegal fishing and protection of maritime economic resources. While they remain security threats to East African waterways, Omar spoke of the great progress he´s observed over the past few years since APS East has been operating in the East African region.

"Since APS began, we now are starting to put the pieces of enhanced capabilities into place. Some of the training we are doing here today is to build upon that capability," said Omar.

Omar continued, "APS is still a relatively new thing, but here in Tanzania I think maritime awareness has started to come around. People in the region have a better understanding, and they are becoming more aware of the importance of ensuring the security of our waters."

Later that afternoon, Norton also met with TPDF Chief of Training and Operations for the Tanzania Peoples Defense Force, Maj. Gen. Sylvester Rioba.

During their meeting, Rioba made a personal expression of appreciation for the APS mission.

"APS is one of the main areas where we are operating," Rioba said. "Our sailors and officers are riding APS ships to gain knowledge and experience. We are happy to participate in this kind of training; it´s an opportunity for us, and we thank the American people and government for the APS experience and exposure. It´s a good thing."

To that message of heartfelt thanks, Norton responded, "We would love to come here and continue to work together as a team to provide training. We´ve done great work together that´s very impressive. We thank you for that."

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.