The U.S. Navy’s joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) entered U.S. 6th Fleet’s area of operations in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS), Jan. 1, 2014.
While on deployment, Spearhead is scheduled to visit and interact with more than 20 nations and sail more than 15,000 miles, highlighting U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet’s commitment and emphasis to partnerships and operating forward.
Cmdr. Matthew Flemming, Africa Partnership Station Mission Commander, said:
This deployment represents an important opportunity for the U.S. Navy to work with our African and European partners to enhance capabilities that will lead to increased maritime security in the region. We have a robust complement of maritime professionals embarked in Spearhead, who are excited to train with and learn from our counterparts in Africa.
Spearhead will serve under the international capacity building program APS, working with African partner nations to enhance maritime security off the coast of West Africa and in the Gulf of Guinea.
As part of APS, Spearhead will participate in U.S. Naval Forces Africa-facilitated maritime exercises Obangame Express and Saharan Express, which take place in the Gulf of Guinea and off West Africa, respectively.
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Press release, Image: US Navy