USS Nashville (LPD 13) arrived in Limbe, Cameroon on April 1, 2009 to conduct a two-week port visit as part of the ongoing Africa Partnership Station (APS) initiative. During the visit, the APS team will conduct engagements both afloat and ashore.

"I am very pleased that APS is returning to Cameroon," said Captain Cindy Thebaud, APS Nashville commander. "Our Sailors look forward to working with their Cameroonian counterparts as well as the opportunity to enjoy the local culture and hospitality."

APS focuses on building cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services in order to achieve common international goals such as stability and security. APS brings an international team of maritime experts including elements from Africa, Europe and the Americas to offer assistance in addressing maritime safety and security challenges such as unlawful, unregulated and illegal fishing, piracy and trafficking.

Planned maritime safety and security seminars and workshops in Douala and Limbe will consist of classroom interaction and hands-on skill-building. Topics to be covered include small boat maintenance, electrical and diesel mechanics, maritime law enforcement, port security planning, leadership principles and advanced first aid.

In addition to maritime safety and security engagements, the APS Nashville crew will conduct community outreach projects on a daily basis. The projects include helping to refurbish the Ecole Maternelle Francophone de Limbe primary school and the delivery of medical, hygiene and school supplies to area clinics, schools and orphanages.

The APS Nashville mission began in January and will run through May. Port visits thus far have included stops in Senegal, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. Following the visit to Cameroon, APS Nashville will travel to Libreville and Port Gentil, Gabon.