Destroyer ends landmark Africa mission

[unhappycamper]

Destroyer ends landmark Africa mission
By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 2, 2007 12:30:14 EDT

The destroyer Forrest Sherman completed a monthlong deployment in Southeast Africa on Tuesday, ending the initial ship visit of a newly formed task group that focuses on the Indian Ocean coastline of Africa.

The Navy formed the Southeast Africa Task Group, dubbed Task Group 60.5, to promote maritime partnerships in the region. The Sherman’s initial visit to the area featured the first port call in Tanzania since 1963. The ship also made stops in Comoros, Mozambique and South Africa.

“Each country was enthusiastic about the visits,” said Capt. Nicholas Holman, commodore of the nascent task group, in a phone interview from aboard the Sherman. “It was a home run all the way around.”

The purpose of the initial ship visit to Southeast Africa was to expose the nations to the Navy and to help their navies and coast guards understand what goes on in their waters.

Piracy, illegal fishing, human trafficking and drug smuggling are prevalent in the waters off the coast of East Africa.

Each stop included community relations projects, Navy band concerts, receptions onboard the ship and training exercises, Holman said.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_africa_destroyer_071002w/