USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) TO VISIT DAR ES SALAAM IN SUPPORT OF AFRICA PARTNERSHIP STATION

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) is visiting Tanzania for a port visit in support of the second training ¨Hub¨ to take place here this year for Africa Partnership Station (APS) East.

APS is a program aimed at strengthening emerging partnerships in Africa to increase regional and maritime safety and security. It is led by the U.S. Navy in conjunction with international partners from Africa, Europe and South America. 

U.S. Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt (right) with USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) Commander Angel Cruz (left).

The Tanzania hub consists of instructors from the U.S. and Danish navies who, over the course of two weeks, are training students in classes such as Search and Rescue Planning, Small Boat Operations, Maritime Intelligence and Fisheries. Classes are being held at both the Tanzania Naval Training School and aboard the ship. Students enrolled in the classes come from African partner nations including Tanzania, Uganda and Djibouti.

Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt welcomed the ship's upcoming arrival by noting: "The Africa Partnership Station is a professional program that focuses on conducting engagement activities with our international partners in order to establish an effective and coherent maritime security program.

Roberts´ commanding officer, Cmdr. Angel Cruz, said the hub is an exciting undertaking for his ship and crew to be a part of.  “There are great things happening in East Africa,” said Cruz. “When I heard Sammy B. was going to get to take part in the action, I had no doubt about how my crew would respond.  These guys don’t see challenges, they see opportunities, and they will make the most of this one.”

This is vitally important due to the need to work together to combat piracy, illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking, and other challenges that are faced by East Africa as well as the world at large.  The visit underscores the robust and excellent partnership and relations between the United States of America and the United Republic of Tanzania."

U.S. maritime security programs are part of overall U.S. direct and multilateral annual assistance to Tanzania of over 750 million USD (850 billion Tanzanian shillings).