The ship departed Rota, Spain, in late February 2024 to start its present deployment all through European and African waters. The ship has carried out earlier port visits to Tema, Ghana, and Libreville, Gabon since departing in February.
Hershel “Woody” Williams is ahead deployed to Souda Bay, Greece and serves as the primary U.S. Navy ship assigned to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) space of accountability. The ship is able to conducting expeditionary missions, counter piracy, maritime safety, and humanitarian and catastrophe reduction operations. Hershel “Woody” Williams’ distinctive capabilities are a part of the essential entry infrastructure that helps the deployment of forces and provides to assist world missions. The ship operates with blue and gold crews, permitting it to stay regularly deployed all through AFRICOM.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has cast strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
