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LIBREVILLE, Gabon — "I am looking forward to doing missions with the U.S. in the future," said Cape Verde sailor Ruben do Rosario. "I feel great today because I know the relationship between our countries is good."
Rosario was one of ten Cape Verde and Sao Tome e Principe sailors who became the third "running-mate" group to wrap up operations aboard USS Nashville since APS Nashville's first African port visit in Dakar, Senegal.
The program wrapped up for the Portugese-speaking Sailors with a recognition ceremony on the ship's flight deck, April 15. Each African sailor is assigned a shipboard partner who interacts with them on a daily basis while exchanging ideas developing personal maritime skill sets.
Running-mate groups are giving APS Nashville's multinational staff opportunities to build working associations with their African partners in an effort to meet the APS goal of enhancing maritime safety and security in west and central Africa, said assistant embarked trainee coordinator Lt. Will Phillips.
"More than anything else, this is a great way for us to form relationships on a maritime level," said Phillips. "With this program, you see one-on-one interaction between junior personnel on the ship and African navies. The ideas and experiences exchanged here go a long way toward fulfilling the APS mission. Our U.S. 'running mates' often comment on how much they learn from their African counterparts, not just the other way around."
During their time aboard, the trainers shared their experiences on many aspects of Naval life, including navigation, deck seamanship, military leadership, meteorology/oceanography, damage control, small-boat maintenance and diesel engine repair.
APS Nashville will hold five running-mates sessions by the time it wraps up operations in May. The fourth group began their activities, on April 16.
APS is a multinational initiative under the direction of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa which is designed to work cooperatively with U.S., South American, European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. It is a concept that provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by employing a diverse team of maritime professionals in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields such as fisheries management, port security and meteorology.
To learn more about Africa Partnership Station and its mission, visit the APS website at www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.19.2009 14:31 |
| Story ID: | 32577 |
| Location: | LIBREVILLE, GA |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 83 |
This work, Africa Partnership Station Nashville bids farewell to third group of international Sailors, by CPO Charles Ludwig, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
