Africa Partnership Station (APS) medical training team members along with medical personnel from the U.S. Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy, traveled to Douala to mentor Cameroon military members at the region's two military hospitals, March 13-16, 2012.

The week of classes consisted of classroom lectures and practical skill demonstrations that built on last year's tactical combat casualty care course.

This marks a positive sign of progress as the APS staff transition from their role as teachers into the role of mentors watching the Cameroonian military hospital staff lead training themselves, said Chief Petty Officer Blake Cooper, a medical planner at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

"The Cameroonians have always been eager to have us here and enthusiastic about learning," said Chief Cooper. "The goal has always been to have the Cameroon military teach themselves with no assistance from APS."

The APS team answered questions when needed, but the training was lead entirely by hospital staff.

"They have always possessed the capabilities to be successful on their own, our staff helped bring them together to organize a more structured learning environment," said Cooper. "We are here to watch and answer questions."

The military hospital has not only benefited from training assistance but also improvement and expansion to the facility itself.

During a tour of the grounds, Cameroonian Colonel Abeng Mbozo'o, chief medical officer of the hospital, points out the areas where construction will begin on additional buildings as well as renovations to some of the older structures.

"Our goal is to continue to move forward in every possible way and to be able to help other facilities become successful as well," said Mbozo'o.

The APS visit ended with a graduation ceremony for the military members that participated in the week's course.

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.