Ghana Welcomes APS

[unhappycamper]

Ghana Welcomes APS
Navy News | PO2 RJ Stratchko | November 26, 2007

Tema, Ghana -- The second port visit of Africa Partnership Station's (APS) seven-month deployment, aboard the Amphibious Dock Landing Ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), arrived in Tema, Nov. 18.

APS is an international effort aiming to enhance regional and maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.

Although the Navy has conducted training during routine deployments in West Africa for years, the size and focus of the APS mission is new and different.

"While in Ghana, the events that are planned cover a wide spectrum of maritime activities involving some military training to the naval and fishery industries, small boat courses, maintenance, force protection, medical and personnel protection courses. We also will do some non-military activities including community relations," Cmdr. Nigel May, a British Navy officer, Chief Staff Officer of APS. "We have a team of Seabees from the U.S Navy who are going to build a medical clinic which is to be used by the military population and civilian population, and as a liaison with many of the Aid organizations to enhance the community relations with Ghana."

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

APS includes African, European and American Sailors all on the same staff, working towards a common goal, partnership in maritime safety and security, and is bringing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities, and a handful of civilian fields such as fisheries management.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,156966,00.html



uhc comment: Africom trolling. . .