U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913), in partnership with a Senegalese Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), conducted a joint-maritime operation from August 30, 2010-September 5, 2010.

The African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) program enables African partners to build maritime security capacity and improve management of their maritime environment through real-world combined law enforcement operations.

"AMLEP allows us to conduct joint operations at sea, which help us move past the exercise phase and into the operational phase," said Commander Robert Hendrickson, Mohawk's commanding officer. "Not only do we broaden our ability to work together, but we also provide a law enforcement presence in the region while the mission is ongoing."

A Senegalese LEDET, comprised of seven naval personnel, embarked Mohawk for a week-long patrol in Senegal's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. During this period, the LEDET conducted two joint boardings with U.S. Coast Guard personnel, queried 15 fishing vessels, and received familiarization demonstrations of law enforcement procedures, tactics and techniques.

"It was great to have learned so much in such a little time," said Senegalese Senior Chief Petty Officer Dusmane Sonko. "Our supervisors will be very happy with the training we received here."

An important aspect of AMLEP is the experience and knowledge gained by all involved partners.

"[Mohawk] learned a great deal from the Senegalese LEDET that will prove to be invaluable to [U.S. Coast Guard] cutters participating in future AMLEP operations," said Hendrickson. "We learned how vessels work off shore and the fishing practices of this region."

A Dakar-based French ATL3 Atlantique Maritime Patrol Aircraft provided an over-the-horizon tactical picture to Mohawk during this operation. The French Navy typically works with the Senegal Ministry of Fisheries in locating suspicious vessels, but this marked the first time an Atlantique has supported AMLEP.

"The aircraft support we received from the French was outstanding," said Hendrickson. "The Atlantique is an excellent resource for the Senegalese in enhancing their maritime domain awareness."

U.S. Africa Command conducted the first two AMLEP operations with Cape Verde in 2008, with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) followed by the USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

In 2009, the third AMLEP operations included the Sierra Leone Maritime Wing and Fisheries Ministry, and resulted in the apprehension of an illegally operating fishing vessel.

During the fourth AMLEP with USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) in December, the combined Sierra Leone and U.S. Coast Guard boarding team boarded five vessels; Sierra Leone seized four for violations of national fishing laws. Sierra Leone also employed two of their own smaller vessels to escort the seized vessels to port, allowing the boarding teams to return to operations more quickly.

Mohawk, homeported in Key West, Florida, is the thirteenth and last of the 270-foot "Famous" class cutters. Built by the former Robert E. Derecktor Shipyards of Rhode Island, Mohawk was christened on September 9th, 1989. Since the time of her commissioning in March of 1991, she has served the Coast Guard in a wide variety of missions, including Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, and Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations.