MCAST Trains and Plans for APS with Liberia

<p>Members from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) Command, assigned to the staff of U.S. Naval Forces Africa, completed a visit to Monrovia, Liberia, December 2011, to discuss future Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2012 civil



By Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen Oleksiak U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/ Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs MONROVIA, Liberia Dec 07, 2011

Members from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) Command, assigned to the staff of U.S. Naval Forces Africa, completed a visit to Monrovia, Liberia, December 2011, to discuss future Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2012 civil affairs projects and upgrade the automated identification system (AIS) equipment within the Monrovian harbor.



Lieutenant Catherine Reppert, Maritime Civil Affairs team leader, said the visit offered her team an opportunity to develop relationships between the U.S. and Liberian forces and to support the development of strong ties between the armed services and their surrounding communities.



"By working with our African partners on medical and humanitarian civic action projects we not only contribute to communities in need, but also expand our relationships with our military partners," said Reppert.



While in Liberia, team members upgraded the AIS equipment and trained the Liberian Coast Guard to utilize the system in order to help Liberia expand their maritime domain awareness capabilities.



Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Debarberie, leading petty officer and communicator assigned to Maritime Civil Affairs Team 202, expressed strong enthusiasm at being able to work with the Liberian Coast Guard and to upgrade the ground-based automated identification system to help Liberia maintain a clear picture of maritime traffic.



"This is an important technology that will contribute to maritime safety in and around Monrovia harbor," said Debarberie.



APS is an international initiative that aims to improve maritime safety and security in Africa and has experienced steady growth in African as well as European and South American involvement since its inception in 2007. By working together, APS participant countries will continue to train to properly face maritime issues challenging African nations.

More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more