Sailors from the Benin, Ghanaian, and Nigerian navies took part in first aid training March 16 -17, 2010 aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

The training, part of a curriculum for students participating in Africa Partnership Station (APS) West 2010, demonstrated how the U.S. Navy treats patients with serious injuries. The idea, according to Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest, is that the students will take the instruction and be able to apply it when necessary.

"The training being taught to the students is what every sailor aboard Gunston Hall receives," said Guest, leading chief petty officer for the ship's health services department. "These classes are just an introduction to help the students become familiar with the methods we use."

Five corpsman from the ship's health services department took turns instructing classes on such topics as fractures, head injuries, abdominal eviscerations and electric shock.

"They're doing well," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Guy Leppry. "They caught on to the material very quickly and have been correcting themselves as they go along."
Benin navy sailor Houedanou Richard said he enjoyed the training.

"This training is very useful," said Richard. "We are having fun learning the basics that we can later use if needed."

The training being conducted through APS West is designed to enhance professional development and provide a valuable motivational and instructional experience to increase the awareness of maritime safety and security.

Gunston Hall is on a scheduled deployment in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS West, an international initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.

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