The Coast Guard Cutter Dallas departed Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday, May 25, 2008, for a four-and-a-half month deployment to conduct maritime safety and security exchanges with countries along the central and west coasts of Africa, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Under the direction of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Dallas will support the Navy's 6th Fleet by serving as the primary Africa Partnership Station (APS) platform to conduct activities and exchanges that bolster maritime safety and security as part of an ongoing support mission made up of multi-national governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.

These agencies and organizations respond to requests from African governments to provide focused multinational/organizational collaboration on a regional scale. The goal of the Africa Partnership Station is to help African nations improve their own economic security and stability thus enhancing maritime security and stability throughout the world.

The U.S. Coast Guard's multi-mission portfolio of maritime safety, law enforcement, and national defense resembles the missions carried out by the navies and coast guards of the countries Dallas will work with.

Following the visits to Africa, Dallas will make numerous port calls in the Mediterranean and Black seas.