Marines partner with Ghana to increase regional capabilities

Photo By Capt. Eric Abrams | Sgt. Michael Gronau, a supply administration specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, explains a supply concept to a sailor from the Ghana Navy at Western Naval Base, Sekondi, Ghana, Aug. 31, 2016. American Marines with SPMAGTF-CR-AF conducted fundamental supply training with the Ghana Navy to support operations countering illicit trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea region. U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa Command support operations, contingencies and security cooperation in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Eric Abrams)  

SEKONDI, GHANA

09.14.2016

Story by 1st Lt. Eric Abrams 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

SEKONDI, Ghana - U.S. Marines partnered with the Ghana Navy to share supply techniques at Western Naval Base, Sekondi, Ghana, August 22-September 2, 2016.

Ghana’s naval supply section is responsible for equipping troops conducting a variety of operations throughout the Gulf of Guinea region.

“Fighting drug trafficking, anti-piracy support, and peace support operations, like those conducted recently in Sudan and Liberia, are functions that take place on a daily basis,” said Sub Lt. Lionel Tagoe, a training officer in the Ghana Navy. “Learning the proper storage of equipment and how to distribute and issue the appropriate equipment to the troops will benefit the entire armed forces in Ghana, not just the Navy.”

Ghana Navy’s ability to support is significantly enhanced through training, like the kind the Marines of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa provide.

“Since the Ghana Navy is actively involved in many types of operations it’s critical we manage our equipment efficiently, both to save money, and be prepared to provide support to operations at any time,” said Tagoe. “The methods being taught during this course are tried and tested over the course of many years and have a proven record of success where they are implemented.”

The American Marines conducting the training were impressed by the professionalism displayed by their counterparts.

“Working with Ghana’s Navy has been a great experience for me and my Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Isidro Cobos, the U.S. Marine team leader. “They picked up the material quickly and have already demonstrated the ability to put it into practice. I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to work with the Ghana Navy again in the future.”

These types of training opportunities develop familiarity between partner nations, enabling them to better address future security concerns together.

“It is important to develop these relationships not only to pass information from one military to another, but to forge bonds between countries that can extend far beyond the individuals involved in the training,” said Tagoe.

• Date Taken: 09.14.2016
• Date Posted: 09.14.2016 09:44
• Story ID: 209516
• Location: SEKONDI, GH