Exercise Northern Coasts Draws to a Close

By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Danish and German-led Exercise Northern Coasts (NOCO) 2012 came to an end after ten days at sea, Sept. 12.

 During the exercise, more than 40 ships from 15 nations participated in NOCO 2012 including one of the standing NATO mine countermeasures groups (SNMCMG1) and the Baltic countermine squadron.

The mine hunters not only conducted simulated mine countermeasure training, they located and demolished several mines that have been on the sea bed since World War II.

 "It was a good exercise," said Danish navy Commodore Aage Buur Jensen, commander, Danish Task Group. "Since it was the largest Danish led naval exercise ever, I was naturally excited to see how it would go. I can only say that I am satisfied with what I saw. The participating ships did a good job and my staff was able to adapt the exercise along the way."

U.S. participation included a P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron Nine, out of Honolulu, and Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, out of Rota, Spain. Sailors operated with counterparts from partner nations in Germany and in Danish Navy Bases to become familiar with procedures and practices.

"This just shows that there's a short way from exercise to reality," said Jensen. "Some of the situations we exposed the NOCO participants to, they will most likely meet in the real world. Now, at least, they are better prepared."

U.S., Danish Sailors Begin Second Hub in APS East

By Lt. Cmdr. Suzanna Brugler, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (NNS) -- U.S. Sailors joined forces with the Danish to kick-off the second training hub to take place in Tanzania this year as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East, July 25.

The first hub in Tanzania also took place in Dar Es Salaam from Feb. 22 to March 3. APS East, and the Tanzania cadre of instructors demonstrates U.S. and international commitment to African maritime safety and security.

U.S. Navy Sailors from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), based out of Dam Neck, Va., and U.S. 6th Fleet Director of Regional Engagements and Intelligence Partnerships, out of Naples, Italy, joined officers from the Danish Task Group International Maritime Capacity Building, at Naval Base, Sylowsvej, to hold various professional training courses, including small boat operations and maintenance; maritime intelligence workshop, and fisheries.

Tanzanian Navy Col. J. E. Karia, commandant of Tanzania Naval Training School, an ardent supporter of the APS mission, has seen first-hand direct results of the training provided to his students.

"I´ve seen a lot of benefit come from the APS training our students have received, especially in the area of maritime domain awareness," Karia said. "Our students come together and join students from other African partnership nations and they study and learn from each other, learning different skills more effectively. They make friends, and you bring the whole East African region together by knowing."

Karia further explained APS offers a lot of knowledge to a large group of people in a short amount of time, making for both an efficient and effective training environment. Much of the knowledge acquired by the African students is gained from experienced instructors, knowledge that cannot be learned from books, he added.

At-sea training such as small boat operations and the APS "shiprider" program provide experiences many Tanzanian students had not had prior to taking APS East.

"Shipriders embedded on U.S. Navy ships are able to study how other people conduct their business; how they do their work. You cannot teach that in a classroom," said Karia.

Over 70 students from Tanzania and Uganda are enrolled in APS East, Tanzania hub classes this week. More students from Djibouti are also expected to enroll in following classes.

APS is an international security cooperation initiative facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

APS promotes partner building activities such as maritime training, community relations projects and cultural exchange activities, and is led by the U.S. Navy in conjunction with international partners from Africa, Europe and South America.

Multinational Minesweepers Train Together in Baltic Operations 2011

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- Twelve minesweeping vessels representing five different Baltic nations and accompanied by the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), completed a series of close maneuvers, June 12, during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011.

The exercise began with the formation of a battle line, followed by an arrow, and concluding with an expanding star burst formation. The USS Mount Whitney served as a flagship and point of reference.

"The seamanship of these vessels and their crews is amazing," said Lt. Cmdr Tiffany Hill, USS Mount Whitney operations officer. "The ships performed flawlessly. To do this in a multi-national environment is an impressive accomplishment.

Ships participating in the exercise included the Latvian ships LNS Jotvingis and LNS Suduvis; Polish vessels ORP Gardno, ORP Druzno, and ORP Naklo; Estonian vessel ENS Ugandi; Germany's FGS Bad Rappenau; the Danish vessel HDNS Havkatten; and Lithuania's LVNS Visvaldis. Two manned drones from the Havkatten also participated.

Now in its 39th year, BALTOPS is a multinational naval exercise focusing on peace and security in the region. Baltic maritime operations continue through June 17.