Samuel B. Roberts Crew Volunteers in Dar es Salaam

By Seaman Jacob Wiley, USS Samuel B. Roberts Public Affairs

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project cleaning and painting classrooms at Makongo Primary School, Aug. 4 -5, as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East's Tanzania Hub.

COMREL activities included cleaning, minor repairs and painting for the interior and exterior of two of the school´s classrooms. Samuel B. Roberts Sailors also played and conversed with the students during their recess.

Makongo currently has 28 teachers on staff with seven classrooms containing 80-160 students to a class. With 42% of Tanzania´s population under the age of 15, preservation of classrooms plays a key role in providing space for children to learn.

LT Dennis D. Strang, Samuel B. Roberts COMREL project coordinator, said the joy he received from being around such special kids made the project worth the long hours.

"We got to learn their phrases and see how their educational structure is set up," said Strang. "It amazes me how every single one of these kids learns their tribal language, Swahili, and English with such limited resources."

Makongo school teacher, Lorencia Magerra said the project had been needed for quite some time.

"We were very happy to have the U.S. Navy come to our school to assist us with our classrooms," said Magerra. "A fresh coat of paint helps us all feel more comfortable with where we are working and learning."

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Lasean A. Biggs, one of 40 Sailors to assist with the project, said he enjoys helping out when he gets the chance to give back to the less fortunate.

"At first glance, my impression of the school was that it's actually pretty organized," Biggs said. "It was nice to see how well educated the kids are and to get some pictures with some of them. I had fun and hope to get more people involved next time."

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.

Samuel B. Roberts Departs Kenya

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MOMBASA, Kenya (NNS) -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) departed Kenya July 23 after a five-day port call in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS) East's Kenya Hub.

Roberts played a vital role in the hub's success, which saw the graduation of more than 85 students from seven African partner nations in courses such as Search and Rescue Planning, Small Boat Operations, Small Boat Navigation, and Meteorology and Oceanography.

Roberts' commanding officer, Cmdr. Angel Cruz, said the hub was 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 made the most of this one."

The visit to Kenya included visits from distinguished guests Rear Adm. Michael T. Franken, commander, Joint-Task Force, Horn of Africa, and Kenya Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Ngewa Mukala, along with three community relations projects involving more than 30 Sailors.

"Kenya is a beautiful country," said Cruz. "We want to thank the Kenyan people for allowing us to visit and share their culture and hospitality."

While the ship is underway in the Indian Ocean, embarked "Shipriders" from Eastern African nations will get some hands-on experience that can't be obtained through classwork alone.

"We are going to get these guys up on the bridge doing the kind of work it takes to run a ship," said Cruz. "When they leave Sammy B. they will have a far better understanding of the level they need to be able to perform at."

Embarked "shiprider" from the Tanzania navy Capt. A.M. Kihuma, said living and working with U.S. Sailors allows partner nations to better understand the types of systems and operations they need to operate in deep ocean sailing, or the "blue-water" navy.

"Our U.S. Partners are giving us this opportunity to come and learn how to take full control of our own areas," said Kihupa. "We also get the added benefit of getting to know each other's cultures. The more fully we understand each other, the better we are able to work together and the more we are able to achieve."

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 to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

Samuel B. Roberts Sailors Participate in Kenyan COMREL

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/ Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

MOMBASA, Kenya (NNS) -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) built and painted blackboards as part of a community relations (COMREL) project during Africa Partnership Station (APS) East 2011 at Marenje Primary School in Mombasa, Kenya, July 21.

Marenje Primary School, located in one of the poorest areas of Kenya, serves more than 295 students at four grade levels with just four full-time teachers. The difficult task of providing students with a quality education is even more difficult with the lack of adequate teaching materials.

Head teacher Ngalaa Mwanyamawi, who is a stickler for good penmanship, said the blackboards Roberts Sailors constructed will make a big difference in easing his teacher's jobs.

"Before, we would write on small slates, which makes it difficult for all the children to see," said Mwanyamawi. "The blackboards will allow us to show the children how to write the words correctly and our assignments will be more effective."

A 24-year-veteran teacher, Mwanyamawi said the visit by the Roberts crew lifted the spirits of the students and teachers at Marenje as high as he had seen them.

"We were so excited when we heard we were going to have our friends here, we began to teach all the children a welcoming song to show off for our new friends. When we saw the bus, the children could barely contain their excitement," said Mwanyamawi. "We appreciate everything our new friends have done for us, and we hope they will come again soon."

Besides building blackboards, the Sailors also brought soccer balls for the children to enjoy.

Boatswain's Mate Seaman Kendall Tyre said he was really happy to see the children laughing and smiling, and he found the overall experience both humbling and inspiring.

"These kids are very, very poor, but you don't feel sorry for them because they are just so happy," said Tyre. "It was a culture shock, but it's what I got into the Navy to do. I want to be out there doing good for people. I feel like we did that today."

Asked if he would consider participating in another COMREL, Tyre replied emphatically, "most definitely."

Roberts will soon continue their involvement with Africa Partnership Station East 2011 with training and community relations in Tanzania.

Roberts is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

Africa Partnership Station Strengthening Relationships with Kenya

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

MOMBASA, Kenya (NNS) -- USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) commanding officer, and the deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron Six Zero met with local Kenyan senior officials, July 19, marking the ship´s arrival as part of the training hub during Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2011.

Capt. John Esposito, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron Six Zero, and Robert's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Angel Cruz, met with Kenya Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Ngewa Mukala at the Mombasa Kenyan Naval Base, participating in the time-honored Kenyan tradition of having afternoon tea. The tradition dates back to Kenya´s past as a former British colony. The international leaders discussed APS and the educational impact the training initiative has provided for both countries.

"We really appreciate what the U.S. is doing with APS here in Kenya, and it´s important that we keep the relationship going from generation to generation," said Mukala.

Mukula also expressed appreciation of the U.S. government´s training of young Kenyan sailors, specifically citing the Special Boat Unit and Naval Leadership hub classes.

"Not only is APS beneficial to our African partners, it is also educational for our Sailors, especially in the area of cultural exchange and understanding," said Esposito.

Cruz returned the favor, hosting the Kenyan Navy Commander for lunch in the ship´s wardroom and a personal ship tour of Samuel B. Roberts. During the tour Mukala was introduced to two Kenyan midshipmen embarked on board as part of the APS at-sea training.

The following day, the U.S. Navy leaders made morning office calls to the Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Coast Province, Mr. Khamasi Shivogo, and the Mombasa City Council Town Clerk, Mr. Tubmun Otieno. Discussion during the official visits focused on maritime safety and security in Africa, a fundamental tenant of APS. In addition to military training, Samuel B. Roberts will participate in community relations (COMREL) projects at a local hospital and school.

APS Kenyan Hub began July 11 with classes including Humanitarian Relief, Small Boat Operations and Basic Instructor Training. The courses are taught jointly by both African partners and U.S. Navy Sailors from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), based out of Dam Neck, Va., and Samuel B. Roberts.

The Kenyan hub brings more than 85 maritime professionals from seven partner nations together for training designed to improve capacity and capability in the region. Samuel B. Roberts provides APS with a platform to give hands-on experience in a real, working environment.

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.

This Day in Naval History - April 18

From the Navy News Service

1848 - A Navy expedition to explore the Dead Sea and the River Jordan, commanded by Lt. William F. Lynch, reaches the Dead Sea.

1906 - The Navy assists in relief operations during the San Francisco earthquake and fire.

1942 - USS Hornet (CV 8) launches Doolittle's Army bombers for the first attack on Japan.

1988 - Navy destroys two Iranian drilling platforms and a frigate in retaliation for attack on USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58).

This Day in Naval History - April 14

From the Navy News Service

1898 - Commissioning of the first post-Civil War hospital ship, USS Solace.

1988 - USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) strikes an Iranian mine off Qatar.

1989 - The first Navy ship arrives on scene to assist in the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup.