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USS Hershel “Woody” Williams visited the port of Tema and supported regional maritime security efforts from August 3-16.
At the end of these engagements, Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan invited dignitaries from the Ghanaian government and military for a tour of the ship led by Captain Chad Graham, Commanding Officer of USS Hershel “Woody” Williams.
Officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ghanaian Navy officers and Members of Parliament toured the ship and witnessed a flight deck demonstration of the ship’s accident and medical response capabilities.
The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the US Africa Command area of responsibility.
The United States shares a common interest with African partner countries in ensuring the safety, security and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, as these waters are essential for Africa’s prosperity and access to markets. global.
The ship is a very flexible platform that can be used in a wide range of military operations. Acting as a mobile maritime base, it is part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies.
Earlier this month, members of the Ghana Special Boat Squadron joined the crew of Hershel “Woody” Williams to participate in a maritime security capabilities exercise with partners in the Gulf of Guinea.
“It was great to have our Ghanaian boarders on board to interact with the crew and participate in the maritime security capabilities exercise we conducted,” said Captain Chad Graham, Commanding Officer of USS Hershel. Woody “Williams. “In-person interactions like this go a long way in strengthening national partnerships, and we look forward to strengthening the relationship between our two navies in the future. ”
Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy, who are studying abroad this semester at the University of Ghana, also participated in the tour of the ship as part of a larger initiative on women, peace and security. (WPS) led by the Commander of the European Naval Forces. Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF).
While in Ghana, students learned about the initiatives of gender advisers from the Ghanaian Armed Forces and participated in community relations activities led by the University of Ghana and the United States Embassy.
“Visiting future naval officers on our ship gives them the opportunity to have a real exposure to the international importance of their service, and the focus on the WPS initiative allows us to learn how we can best foster opportunities for women leaders within this service, ”Graham said.
About the Naval Forces of Europe and Africa (NAVAF)
For more than 70 years, the forces of the U.S. Sixth Fleet have forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners and have consolidated a foundation of shared values, experiences and vision aimed at preserving security and stability.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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