Courtesy Photo | Coast Guardsmen attached to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) guide a...... read more read more
Subscribe
Story by: Lt. Cmdr. James Stockman
DAKAR, Senegal – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913), in partnership with a Senegalese Law Enforcement Detachment, conducted a joint maritime operation from Aug. 30-Sept. 5.
The African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership program enables African partners to build maritime security capacity and improve management of their maritime environment through real-world combined law enforcement operations.
“AMLEP allows us to conduct joint operations at sea, which help us move past the exercise phase and into the operational phase,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Robert Hendrickson, Mohawk’s commanding officer. “Not only do we broaden our ability to work together, but we also provide a law enforcement presence in the region while the mission is ongoing.”
A Senegalese LEDET, comprised of seven naval personnel, embarked Mohawk for a week-long patrol in Senegal's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. During this period, the LEDET conducted two joint boardings with U.S. Coast Guard personnel, queried 15 fishing vessels and received familiarization demonstrations of law enforcement procedures, tactics and techniques.
“It was great to have learned so much in such little time,” said Senegalese navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Dusmane Sonko. “Our supervisors will be very happy with the training we received here.”
An important aspect of AMLEP is the experience and knowledge gained by all involved partners.
“[Mohawk] learned a great deal from the Senegalese LEDET that will prove to be invaluable to [the U.S. Coast Guard] participating in future AMLEP operations,” said Hendrickson. “We learned how vessels work off shore and the fishing practices of this region.”
A Dakar-based French ATL3 Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft provided an over-the-horizon tactical picture to Mohawk during the operation. While the French navy typically works with the Senegal Ministry of Fisheries in locating suspicious vessels, this marked the first time an Atlantique has supported AMLEP.
“The aircraft support we received from the French was outstanding,” said Hendrickson. “The Atlantique is an excellent resource for the Senegalese in enhancing their maritime domain awareness.”
Since 2008, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard have provided support with four ships in five AMLEP operations with African partners, resulting in multiple fisheries interdictions and the seizure of five vessels that violated national fishing laws.
Mohawk, homeported in Key West, Fla., is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2010 07:21 |
| Story ID: | 55823 |
| Location: | DAKAR, SN |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, U.S. Coast Guard, Senegalese Law Enforcement Conclude AMLEP, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT