Photo: Blue Crew Sailors in Gabon

NGOLA, Gabon (August 20, 2009) — Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Howard T. LeRoy (left), Joseph C. Sohlberg, Master of HSV Swift (center) and Ensign Michael P. Deasey (right) of High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) prepare two rigid hull inflatable boats to leave Ngola village, a remote settlement on the Ogooue river. The Sailors are from Africa Partnership Station Swift which made a Project Handclasp delivery to the village.

APS, Swift Deliver Medical Supplies to Remote Village in Gabon

Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs Print
NGOLA VILLAGE, Gabon, Aug 27, 2009 — Sailors from Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift made a unique, 45-mile, up-river trip from Port Gentil, Gabon aboard two rigid hull inflatable boats to deliver medical supplies to Ngola Village, August 20, 2009.

The two pallets of medical supplies replenished the three-cot medical clinic in the village with needed necessities to treat patients. Ngola, a settlement for workers of plantations which line the rivers banks, is without running water or electricity. Ngola village is lit only by fire.

There are no cars or motorcycles, as the wide and twisting Ogooue River is the only way in or out.

"We've been able to deliver medical, hygiene and other needed supplies to our partner countries throughout this deployment, but the trip to Ngola is unique," said Commander John D. Tolg, mission commander for APS Swift.

"The people here are truly isolated. They've carved a village out of the jungle along the riverbank, and with the exception of a few poured concrete buildings, I don't think life has changed much here in the past several hundred years."

APS is an international initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S., European, and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields.

During this deployment, High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) embarked over 40 Sailors from Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo for underway training in visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics and small boat handling. Swift, home ported in Norfolk, Virginia, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS.

Source: Africa Partnership Station

HSV-2 Swift Completes Training With Sailors From Six West African Countries

SEKONDI, Ghana – Forty-six Sailors from six West African countries recently completed maritime safety and security training aboard the Africa Partnership Station platform HSV-2 Swift.

APS is a multinational initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-and U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

"These Sailors worked together to create theater security for the Gulf of Guinea and develop the relationships that will help them work together in the future," said Chief Petty Officer Mate Willie J. Donald, embarked training team supervisor. "They were a great, well-prepared group of students, and the fact they came from six different countries and worked so well together is one of the things I found most impressive."

During six-weeks of intensive training, Sailors from Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo honed their skills in visit, board, search and seizure tactics and small boat instruction with an emphasis on coxswain and navigation training.

"Our trainers, our students, our crew and our partner countries have worked together in this continuing effort to build maritime domain awareness," said APS Swift's mission commander, Cmdr. John D. Tolg. "Placing the importance of the training in a larger context, the success of this six-week mission is a maritime professional pillar in meeting the [commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa 2009] commander's operational objective to build maritime safety and security throughout the region. I couldn't be happier with the results. "

For the students and the countries they represent, the results of the training will have an immediate impact."In our Navy, any of us can be called on to be a boarding officer," said Sub-Lt. Joseph Gura, a navigational officer in the Ghana Navy. "With the recent discovery and exploitation of oil in the waters just off the coast, there is an increase in the maritime traffic. This training really equipped me to be able to enhance my ship's ability to board and search other vessels as needed. "

Swift, home ported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS. To learn more about APS visit www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.