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SEKONDI, Ghana – The first class of Africa Partnership Station Nashville embarked trainees graduated Feb. 20 after spending three weeks aboard USS Nashville.
The trainees spent their time on the Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock ship, not only learning basic seamanship, damage control and leadership skills, but building relationships with sailors from around the world.
"My [running mate] explains what he is doing, and that helps me to understand all the personal qualifications on the ship," said Togoese Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Mouzou Banadjuba. "I think this is a good program. When I follow him, we do the work together, and it helps answer any questions I may have."
The training held not only provided hands-on lessons, but also helped the Sailors involved build relationships and contacts from around the world.
The working relationships are an integral part to building partnerships and enhancing maritime strategy in west and central Africa, assistant embarked trainee coordinator, Lt. Will Phillips said.
"I think it's a really good way to build relationships at the fundamental level," said Phillips. "Normally, we see high-ranking officials or defense attachés building relationships at the strategic or operational level. Now you see one-on-one interaction between junior officers and enlisted as well."
The graduation of 15 West and Central African Sailors from the program was only the first of five scheduled classes of its kind to be held aboard Nashville.
Nashville is currently deployed with Africa Partnership Station. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security on the African continent. Nashville is focused on supporting the APS strategy in West and Central Africa.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2009 04:18 |
| Story ID: | 30410 |
| Location: | SEKONDI, GH |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 300 |
This work, First Africa Partnership Station Nashville embarked trainee class graduates, by PO3 Matthew Bookwalter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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