USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) arrived in Libreville, Gabon, for port visit as part of the Africa Partnership Station (APS) West mission, February 23, 2011.



Building on the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy, APS seeks to enhance regional and maritime safety and security in Africa by developing partnering capabilities and relationships.



While the Navy has conducted training during routine deployments in West Africa for years, the focus of APS is increasing African maritime capabilities and capacity, and promoting economic prosperity and stability. Bradley's dedication to this mission is visible by its crews' commitment.



"Robert G. Bradley is looking forward to its second theater security cooperation engagement in Libreville, Gabon, fresh off a highly successful Togo visit," said Commander Darryl Brown, commanding officer of Robert G. Bradley.



While in Gabon, Robert G. Bradley will host ship tours, office calls and a reception aboard with music provided by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band.



"Robert G. Bradley hopes to strengthen U.S. relations with Gabon," said Brown.



APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.



Robert G. Bradley, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is homeported out of Mayport, Fla., and is on a scheduled APS deployment to the West Coast of Africa.