Robert G. Bradley Completes APS Exercise Obangame Express 2011

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Darryl Wood | Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Woo waits for a bucket of paint to be lowered during a repainting evolution aboard USS Robert G. Bradley, while moored in Port Gentil, Gabon, in support of Africa Partnership Station West. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Darryl Wood)  

DOUALA, CAMEROON

03.23.2011

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Petty Officer 1st Class Darryl Wood

DOUALA, Cameroon – USS Robert G. Bradley concluded exercise Obangame Express off the coast of Cameroon as part of Africa Partnership Station West, March 23.

Robert G. Bradley along with ships from Belgium, Cameroon, France, Gabon, Nigeria, and Spain participated in the exercise which focused on maritime domain awareness with the specific challenges faced by the interoperability of a multinational force to improve it’s proficiency at sea.

“The professionalism of the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalion and Nigerian boarding teams were impressive,” said Cmdr. Darryl Brown, commanding officer of USS Robert G. Bradley. “Obangame Express gave the Cameroonian and Nigerian naval forces a chance to work together. Both sides agreed that this was the first of hopefully many opportunities and they look forward to next year’s exercise.”

This exercise is designed to support the strengthening of efforts against countering illicit activities in the regions maritime zone.

The pre-sail conference and post-exercise debrief was held at the Cameroon Navy Base in Douala, Cameroon, allowing the navies to express mission successes and also offer suggestions for improvements. This multinational cooperation ensures continued success for interoperability and proficiency of the regional maritime stake holders in the Gulf of Guinea.

“This exercise proved to be a great interaction between multiple naval partners,” said Lt. j.g. James Carles. “Both the Cameroonian and Nigerian boarding team were very engaged in the event. The Nigerian’s procedures throughout the compliant boarding evolution were so effective that our team picked up a couple of tactics that we will add to our boarding operations. However, the Cameroonian special ops team does not usually get the opportunity to conduct a compliant boarding, so this provided a chance to conduct this type of boarding, which will help them expand their maritime capabilities.”

Robert G. Bradley, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is homeported out of Mayport, Fla., and is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility.

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.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2011
• Date Posted: 03.28.2011 10:10
• Story ID: 67857
• Location: DOUALA, CM