Robert G. Bradley, APS Sail into Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

03.07.2011

Courtesy Story

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

By Lt. Cmdr. James Stockman

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – USS Robert G. Bradley arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, March 7, as part of Africa Partnership Station West.

The ship will embark African partners in order to conduct professional exchanges that build maritime safety and security in Africa.

“Training events will focus on a broad range of areas, including maritime domain awareness, leadership, search and rescue.” said Capt. Susan Dunlap, Africa regional engagement group director for U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

Cmdr. Darryl Brown, commanding officer of Robert G. Bradley, stated that Robert G. Bradley is functioning as a mobile university, moving from port-to-port to provide training and long-term collaboration between the U.S. and international partners.

“Because of that, we are able to offer tailored training and achieve common goals through working together,” said Brown.

APS 2011 started in Lome, Togo, on Feb. 1, and will consist of seven U.S. ships, engage 22 African partners and involve more than 7,000 maritime professionals.

“APS is an active symbol of the strong relationship between our two nations,” said Michael S. Owen, U.S. ambassador to Sierra Leone. “It’s an opportunity to share resources and create learning opportunities that will build skills, bolster regional security and promote future cooperation.”

Robert G. Bradley, an Oliver Hazard Perry-Class frigate homeported out of Mayport, Fla., is on a scheduled APS deployment to the West Coast of Africa.

• Date Taken: 03.07.2011
• Date Posted: 03.08.2011 08:39
• Story ID: 66666
• Location: FREETOWN, SL