Liberian President Visits APS Swift for Farewell Reception

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift for an evening reception honoring the conclusion of the ship's two-week Medical Civil Action Project in Monrovia, September 15, 2009.

For the past two weeks, the three medical teams embarked on APS Swift have been visiting hospitals and clinics around the capital city providing free care and medicine. Sirleaf thanked the teams for their compassion and dedication.

"You have treated over 2,000 people in the short time you've been here," Sirleaf said. "You have brought to us the partnership of caring and sharing. The presence of Africa Partnership Station Swift and the work you have done here is out of concern for humanity. You are here as partners with the added dimension of caring, and for that I would like to extend a very great thank you and my sincere wish that you return soon."

In addition to the medical civil action project, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three began one of two building projects which will keep them in Liberia for the next four months.

"Africa Partnership Station is the way we show our commitment to Liberia and the region," said Brooks A. Robinson, Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia. "We are here as partners and look forward to more opportunities to strengthen the ties between our countries and our peoples."

APS is a multinational initiative under Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to foster cooperation between the U.S., European and African partners as a way to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

Swift, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship has supported various partnership-building operations and training throughout much of the world, including APS.

In the News: Swift Relations in Liberia

Liberian President Accepts Project Handclasp Donation from HVS Swift

Twenty-four pallets of Project Handclasp supplies were accepted on behalf of the nation by the President of Liberia during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, September 4, 2009.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, along with Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia Brooks A. Robinson and acting Minister of Liberian Health and Social Welfare Vivian Cherue, were guests of honor at the ceremony.

Twenty of the donated pallets contained high nutrition meals as part of Kids Against Hunger, a program with a mission to reduce the number of hungry children in the U.S. and throughout the world.

"We begin today by officially handing over 144,000 meals for Liberian school children, and four pallets of medical supplies for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare," said Robinson. "These items were delivered through Project Handclasp by the HSV Swift, an Africa Partnership Station (APS) ship which is now docked in the Freeport of Monrovia."

High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) will be in Liberia for two weeks as part of APS. Medical teams based on the ship will conduct primary care health screenings, maternal and child services and education, dental exams and education, eye examinations and distribution of prescription glasses. The teams will also provide veterinary services and education, biomedical repair education and advanced lab training. Navy Seabees will construct a new medical ward and laundry at another local hospital.

"Liberia needs effective partnerships that are characterized by continuous and frank consultations, information sharing, clear rules of engagement and conflict resolution, transparent transactions, and explicit incentives," said Chereu. "We look forward to working with you on more projects, and from the bottom of my heart I want to again profoundly express appreciation to you for the extraordinary assistance you will provide the Liberian people."

Homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Swift is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ship has supported various partnership-building operations and training throughout much of the world, including APS.

APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, 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. 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.

Photo: MONROVIA, Liberia - President of Liberia Ellen Johnson (left) and Charge d'Affaires of the American Embassy Brooks Robinson (right) cut a ribbon during a formal ceremony in Monrovia to accept a Project Handclasp donation, September 4, 2009. Twenty-four pallets of high-nutrition meals and medical supplies were delivered by Africa Partnership Station (APS) Swift (HSV 2) at the beginning of a two-week port call to Monrovia. While in port, the ship will deploy medical personnel and Seabee teams on a number of humanitarian missions. APS, an international initiative led by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is aimed at improving maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa through training and other collaborative activities with African partner countries. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Dan Meaney)