This port go to marks the primary cease for Spencer, whereas employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) space of operations. Spencer’s go to to Praia demonstrates NAVAF and the U.S. Coast Guard’s dedication and longstanding partnership to work with our African companions to counter illicit maritime exercise within the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the port go to, Spencer will embark maritime counterparts from Cabo Verde, Senegal and The Gambia.
“The crew is happy for this distinctive alternative and we sit up for working with our companions to control fisheries and fight unlawful, unreported, and unregulated fishing,” mentioned Cmdr. Corey Kerns, Spencer’s commanding officer.
The U.S. Coast Guard commonly integrates and operates throughout the NAVAF space of operations. The U.S. Coast Guard’s authorities and capabilities present the Joint Pressure with distinctive instruments that bridge the cooperation-to-conflict continuum.
Cabo Verde is a crucial companion of america in selling peace and safety in Africa. In December 2022, the U.S. and Cabo Verde signed a memorandum of understanding for protection cooperation between the 2 nations, which is able to deal with persevering with to counter illicit maritime actions by safety cooperation. Later this month, Cabo Verde will take part within the NAVAF-led train Obangame Categorical 2022, the most important annual maritime safety train in Western Africa. These kinds of workouts strengthen partnerships and permit nations to work extra intently on shared transnational maritime challenges.
“The U.S. Embassy in Praia proudly welcomes the arrival of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer to Cabo Verde. This ship go to is one more instance of the rising cooperation between U.S. and Cabo Verdean maritime forces, which is enhancing security and safety for our two nations and the whole area,” mentioned Jeff Daigle, U.S. Ambassador to Cabo Verde.
The U.S. shares a standard curiosity with African companion nations in guaranteeing safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as a result of these waters are important for Africa’s prosperity and entry to world markets.
In April 2022, as a part of the African Maritime Legislation Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP), the U.S. and African maritime forces, led by Cabo Verde, labored in coordination with the Maritime Evaluation and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N), the Worldwide Police (INTERPOL), and Cabo Verde’s nationwide Maritime Operations Middle (COSMAR) to conduct a compliant boarding of a fishing vessel, which led to the seizure of roughly 6,000 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated road worth of greater than $350 million.
The Well-known-class medium endurance cutters assist the U.S. Coast Guard’s maritime regulation enforcement and search and rescue missions. These cutters are able to supporting flight operations with both a MH-65 Dolphin or a MH-60 Jayhawk.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Space, headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, oversees all Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf, spanning throughout 5 Coast Guard districts and 40 states.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid 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 duty. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
