Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), Naval Forces Africa staff members, and Africa Partnership Station (APS) West international staff members arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, during the third "Hub" as part of APS West, April 4, 2011.

Sailors aboard Bradley will conduct maritime training, participate in military-to-military sporting events, and host community relation (COMREL) projects during their port visit.

"COMREL helps strengthen our relationships with our African partners and allow us to interact with host nation's civilians and military," said Chief Petty Officer Ed Lafond, COMREL coordinator aboard Robert G. Bradley. "For some of the sailors this is the first time for them to interact with the host nation civilians and is an opportunity for them to have a good time helping others and see sights other than what they would see on a tour."

APS training conducted with the Nigerian navy will cover areas in visit, board, search and seizure team operations; search and rescue planning; damage control and signals familiarization. These areas of training were selected with the assistance of Nigerian officials to better enhance maritime safety and security along the coast of West and Central Africa.

"We have started to really see the impact of our training on our partner navies," said Lieutenant William Pollak, operations officer aboard Robert G. Bradley. "They inspire our sailors to keep up their energy level, knowing that what we are doing here is well received."

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by 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, Florida, and is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility.