Seabees renews maritime connections in Sao Tome and Principe > United States Navy > News-Stories

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The US team met with the Honorable Carlos Vila Nova, President of São Tomé and Príncipe and established relationships with senior leaders of the Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe (FASTP). During the visit, US engineers also conducted site assessments for future bilateral construction projects in Sao Tome.

While in Sao Tome, the American engineers also conducted several site visits for potential projects, logistical planning, capability assessments with the Sao Tome Army Engineer Company, and project estimates for the improvement of the facilities of the Sao Tome Coast Guard. The Sao Tome Coast Guard Base works regularly with American engineers, who are deployed on a rotational basis to Africa in support of CTF 68.

“I first worked with the Sao Tome Coast Guard in 2007 to build the existing boat launch,” said Dave Young, technical planner with the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment (22 NCR). “The project was a success thanks to the excellent support and relationship with the Sao Tome Coast Guard.”

Due to the weather, exposure to rough seas, and the increased size of the patrol boats, the causeway and boat launch built by the Seabees in 2007 require additional maintenance and repairs. In coordination with the Department of State and the Office of Regional Peace and Security, this project will increase the capacity of the Sao Tome Coast Guard to conduct maritime interdiction and security operations in the Gulf of Guinea.

“We must constantly work to improve our capabilities and remain adaptable to the situation,” Sao Tome Coast Guard Training Officer 1st Lt. Xlitton Fome said. “I started in the Sao Tome Army, but when the Coast Guard needed more officers to help them grow, I converted to the Coast Guard.”

American Naval Engineers have shared a proud history with the Sao Tome Army Engineer Company since their commissioning in 2015, including providing engineering support to all branches of FASTP.

“Seabees always works with military engineers from partner nations when doing projects like this in another country,” said chief builder Gabriel Miller of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment. “It’s the most rewarding part of the job we do while deployed and I look forward to working with my new friends in Sao Tome.”

The engineering team also visited the Sao Tome Regional Hospital to assess potential needs and the feasibility of making small-scale improvements to the facilities, including additional access ramps to wheelchair buildings. rolling.

22 NCR provides command and control of naval construction forces in US European Command and US Africa Command areas of responsibility in direct support of CTF 68.

CTF 68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, commands all naval expeditionary forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility and is responsible for providing EOD operations , shipbuilding, expeditionary security, and theater security efforts in direct support of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. – Africa and US 6th Fleet.

For more than 80 years, US Naval Forces Europe-US Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, building on a foundation of shared values ​​to preserve security and stability.

Based in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces across the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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