Fire Controlman 2nd Class Chris Hann trains Mozambique Marines aboard the the guided-missile frigate USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) on visit, board, search and seizure techniques. Robert G. Bradley is making the first ever Africa Partnership Station port visit to Mozambique, where the crew will conduct a range of training, community service projects and cultural activities. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

Africa Partnership Station is the US Navy’s program to maintain a low-footprint presence in Africa in support of the Africa Command mission and the Navy’s goal of building maritime partnerships. The USS Bradley (FFG 49) recently participated in APS with visits to the east coast of Africa.

The East African mission represented the first APS mission in the region. The previous APS ships had been tasked to work in west and central Africa.

The navies of Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania requested APS assistance, for what APS does best, sustained, focused training. These nations have small navies, which are still organized along Army lines, using Army ranks as an example. They requested training in basic naval duties such as firefighting, small boat operations, boarding with search and seizure procedures and basic navigation.

We discussed APS E Africa this morning with Capt. Nicholas Holman, IV, USN, CTF-63/Sealift Logistics Command Europe/CTF-363 Southeast Africa Task Force in a Bloggers’ Roundtable. Captain Hollman talked about Bradley’s work with the nations of East Africa.

Much of the APS in West Africa has been aboard larger ships than Bradley. Bradley was selected for the East African APS due to its shallower draft and need for less pier space when docked. Some of the ports visited by Bradley could not host a larger vessel.

Holman told us that Bradley’s helicopters were removed for the APS mission. Hanger space was used to contain freezer units with additional food that would allow a longer stay by Bradley. Space was tight on the frigate, and room had to be found for the sailors from the three main host nations which participated in ride alongs.

The top priority for all three nations was maritime safety and security. Captain Holman told us that $310 million dollars is lost to the nations involved in illegal fishing alone. He would not discuss the nations doing the illegal fishing but he could confirm that these were large scale operations with factory ships, not just small craft.

Asked about the sailors aboard Bradley, Holman said that the crew supported the mission. They were sailors working with other sailors. They enjoyed the various community relations projects. Even the youngest sailor “got it”.

Along with working with the local navies, Holman joined embassy staff in meeting with host nation officials. There were ship tours and other social functions. The host nations are very eager to have the United States Navy continue port visits and APS activities.

Here are a few stories about the USS Bradley’s work on APS:

• Robert G. Bradley Mozambique for Workshops, Music and Volunteerism
• Bradley Sailors Help Children at Mozambique Orphanage
• Robert G. Bradley VBSS Teams with Mozambican Marines
• Robert G. Bradley Visits Comoros to Strengthen Ties
• Robert G. Bradley Sailors Arrive in Tanzania