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USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Returns to Cape Town to Strengthen Partnerships

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams pulls into port in Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 25, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey 

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrived in Cape Town, South Africa for a scheduled port visit, Sept. 25, 2021.

“It has been less than a year since the Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams was in Cape Town to work with our South African partners on issues of mutual and international interest, such as maritime security,” said Capt. Chad Graham, commanding officer, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams. “Our frequent stops in South Africa illustrate our dedication to engaging with our counterparts here strategically, but also our excitement to continue building on our two nations’ already-strong relationship through cultural exchange.”

Hershel “Woody” Williams previously visited Cape Town in February to resupply fuel and promote maritime security through a persistent presence in African waters.

The visit will include engagement opportunities with South African government and military leaders, to include cultural presentations, ship tours, as well as religious and medical exchanges.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. South Africa is an important partner of the United States in promoting peace and security in Africa. Both South Africa and the United States rely on maritime shipping and free and secure sea lanes for economic prosperity.

“This week’s visit of the USS Hershel Williams is yet another indication of the deep and broad partnership between the United States and South Africa,” said William Stevens, Acting U.S. Consul General to South Africa. “This is a partnership that builds shared prosperity, saves lives, and creates security both here in South Africa and around the African continent. This USS Hershel “Woody” Williams visit is one more step in bolstering our already strong security cooperation. We at the U.S. Consulate General are delighted that Cape Town is again hosting the ship, as we firmly believe that working together to promote international security will lead to greater prosperity and security for our two nations.”

The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, because these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.

For over 70 years, U.S. Sixth Fleet forces have forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners and solidified a foundation of shared values, experiences, and vision aimed at preserving security and stability.

The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that may be used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support missions assigned.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.