USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Arrives in Rota, Spain

While operating in the U.S. Africa Command area of operations, the ship conducted six maritime evolutions alongside African partner nations, participated in a major multinational exercise, and conducted refueling operations.


"It has been an absolute honor to be a part of our increased U.S. presence in Africa working and training alongside our partners and Allies.” - Capt. David Gray, commanding officer, Hershel “Woody” Williams
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Conner Foy U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Public Affairs NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain Oct 26, 2020
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The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Oct. 22, marking the end of a 43-day underway operating alongside partners and Allies off the coast of Africa.

While operating in the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of operations, the ship conducted six maritime evolutions alongside African partner nations, participated in a major multinational exercise, and conducted refueling operations.

Most recently, Hershel “Woody” Williams joined NATO Allies and African partner nations from for the French-led exercise Grand African Navy Exercise for Maritime Operations (NEMO) 2020, Oct. 5-9. The week-long exercise involved more than 30 ships and aircraft from 14 different nations, which conducted more than 20 scenarios on important maritime issues such as combatting illegal fishing, piracy, drug trafficking, pollution, and rescue at sea.

Grand African NEMO 2020 participants included Benin, Brazil, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Italy, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and the United States.

Capt. David L. Gray, commanding officer, Hershel “Woody” Williams, Blue Crew, said that the time underway in such a vital area of operations was an incredibly rewarding experience.

“It was very exciting to have been part of the French-led Grand African NEMO and to be invited back next year,” said Gray. “It has been an absolute honor to be a part of our increased U.S. presence in Africa working and training alongside our partners and Allies.”

While in the AFRICOM area of operations, Hershel “Woody” Williams also conducted:

Other operations and training the ship can conduct include support to Special Operations, command and control, and staging of equipment and other assets, as directed.

“The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams enables U.S. forces to execute a multitude of capabilities, including in support of theater security operations, maritime domain awareness, and a full spectrum of maritime operations from non-combatant evacuation to high-end warfare,” said Gray.

Hershel “Woody” Williams is homeported in Souda Bay, Greece, and conducts AFRICOM missions in the Mediterranean and the waters around East, South, and West Africa to include the Gulf of Guinea, operating with regional partners. The ship will be a long-term presence assigned to the AFRICOM mission set and will support security cooperation missions and operations in and around the African continent.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts joint and naval operations in order to support regional allies and partners and U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

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