The Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville team, consisting of the USS Nashville (LPD 13) crew, a staff of Destroyer Squadron 60, and international maritime professionals, departed Dakar, Senegal, February 11, 2009, after wrapping up seven days of team building and familiarization events.

The Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock ship is deployed as part of APS, an international initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa, which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the Africa continent. Nashville's APS mission is focused on collaborative efforts in West and Central Africa.

During Nashville's visit, the ship hosted daily interactive workshops and seminars on search and rescue procedures, port security planning, small boat maintenance, medical training, meteorology, and fisheries management. Military and civilian components from
several nations participated in the events.

Capping the week's training seminars was a multi-national oil spill prevention workshop, which included opening remarks from the Senegalese Minister of Defense, who emphasized that maritime environmental protection requires a collective approach and an open dialogue.

Additionally, U.S. Marines attached to Nashville and Senegalese soldiers spent six days at an army base in the city of Thies covering topics such as combat life-saving, logistics, information management, marksmanship and non-lethal weapons usage.

APS team members also participated in community relations projects at local schools, medical clinics, and a children's shelter.

APS Nashville Commander Captain Cynthia Thebaud met with top Senegalese officers and officials to discuss maritime security.

"We are grateful to the Senegalese Navy and the citizens of Dakar for their outstanding hospitality," said Thebaud. "We see this partnership growing in strength and look forward to our return in May."

APS Nashville now heads to Sekondi, Ghana, to continue with their mission.