The deployment demonstrates the U.S. dedication to strengthening maritime safety in addition to peace and stability throughout the area. From July to August, Trenton performed regional maritime presence operations and enriched valued relationships with African companions from Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Morocco, and Sierra Leone.
“Our mixed army and civilian crew executed their mission with professionalism and enthusiasm, which demonstrated america’ steadfast dedication to our accomplice nations,” stated Cmdr. Tim Rustico, officer in control of Trenton.
Trenton’s deployment additionally included tri-service maritime efforts throughout the U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) space of operations. Whereas deployed, Marines assigned to Process Drive 61 Naval Amphibious Forces Europe-2nd Marine Division (TF-61/2) embarked Trenton to offer in port safety help and to proceed bolstering built-in maritime operations between the ocean companies.
“I’m extremely pleased with Trenton’s skilled execution throughout their deployment, the place they labored with our companions, developed logistical nodes, and expanded maritime area consciousness in Western Africa,” stated Capt. Kenneth Pickard, commodore, Process Drive 63. “Trenton’s efforts laid the groundwork for continued presence and partnership within the Gulf of Guinea.”
Over the past decade, america has steadily elevated maritime safety cooperation with companions on Africa’s Atlantic coast to enhance maritime area consciousness functionality to guard their sovereign waters.
Earlier this month, NAVAF and the Royal Danish Navy collectively hosted the Maritime Operations Planning Workshop (MOPW) in Accra, Ghana for West African companions from 14 nations. MOPW allowed junior officers from African navies and coast guards to alternate operational planning experiences, develop templates to be used throughout workout routines, and plan real-world operations.
In July 2022, NAVAF participated within the Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Dakar, Senegal with maritime companions and allies. NILS-A is a multinational, Africa-focused discussion board designed to convey collectively accomplice nations with Marine forces and naval infantries.
In March 2022, NAVAF hosted train Obangame Specific, the biggest multinational maritime train in Western Africa. Most of these workout routines strengthen partnerships and permit international locations to work extra intently on shared transnational maritime challenges together with collaborative efforts in assist of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and adherence to the rule of regulation.
In 2013, Gulf of Guinea coastal nations developed and signed the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a key settlement to enhance maritime interoperability. This highly effective framework established goals and improved inter-region coastal relationships and joint capabilities which have lowered unlawful actions within the Gulf of Guinea.
The U.S. shares a standard curiosity with African accomplice nations in guaranteeing safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as a result of these waters are vital for Africa’s prosperity and entry to international markets.
Trenton is an expeditionary quick transport ship able to speedy transit and deployment of typical and particular forces, tools and provides in assist of maneuver and sustainment operations.
Commander, Process Drive 63, headquartered in Naples, Italy, is the operational commander of all air and sea logistics for NAVEUR-NAVAF and U.S. Sixth Fleet. Process Drive 63 and Army Sealift Command’s Sealift Logistics Command (SEALOGEUR) are two individually named formations that function as a one unified workers.
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 accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
