Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville kicked off training courses on February 23, 2009 aboard USS Nashville (LPD 13) during a scheduled 18-day port visit to Sekondi, Ghana.

Crew members of USS Nashville welcomed more than 160 military trainees from Cape Verde, Ghana and Mozambique, along with 15 civilian students from maritime security and meteorological agencies. The training course, which runs until March 5, covers search and rescue, maritime law, small boat maintenance and intelligence procedures.

"The classes offered here are tailored toward the specific needs and requests made by our hosts," said Lieutenant Olukemi Elebute, APS training officer. "They have identified key areas… to improve the overall level of effectiveness their navy and government agency have in improving maritime safety and security."

APS is an international initiative led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U. S., European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by utilizing an international team of expert trainers in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields such as fisheries management, port security and meteorology.

Nashville arrived February 20 in Sekondi, Ghana, the second African port of its five-month deployment in support of Africa Partnership Station.