Cameroon / USA / International Partners Train Cameroon Navy on Visit Board Search and Seizure Techniques

26 February 2008

 

International Partners Train Cameroon Navy on Visit Board Search and Seizure Techniques

 

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist(SW/AW) Jason Morris,

Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

 

ISONGO, Cameroon – Members of the French Commando Unit, Commando Jaubert, based at Lorient in Brittany and Toulon, France, along with Africa Partnership Station (APS) Sailors, train Cameroon maritime professionals in visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) techniques here, Feb. 25.

    Commando Jaubert Unit was invited to Cameroon by local military and civilian leaders to train their Sailors in the latest VBSS techniques.

    “It has been nice to come down and train with the Cameroon Navy and be able to share our experiences,” said Chief Petty Officer Sebastien Laurent, French VBSS Team Leader. “The military here are doing very well with this training. This training will provide the Cameroon Navy the capability of enforcing maritime law and protect Cameroon from illegal activities such as illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.”

    APS Sailors are partnering with the French in the instruction of the Cameroon military. APS members, stationed aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), have been working alongside their French counterparts in an international partnership to teach VBSS to the Cameroon Navy.

    “The training has been very well received by the Cameroon military. They understand how important it is to be in control of their maritime domain and to be able to investigate suspicious vessels,” said Ens. Manooch Azizi, APS VBSS Team Leader. “The knowledge gained from this training will allow the Cameroon Navy to put it to use in a real world situation.”

    VBSS training has occurred both on shore and at sea. Shore training consists of vertical scaling, baton, room entry procedures, tactical movement techniques for various platforms, as well as plenty of physical exercise to ensure all participants are physically up to the task of boarding vessels at sea. Sea training incorporates exercises involving the Cameroon Navy boarding APS platforms using their own patrol crafts.

    “We are very happy to be here learning VBSS from the French and APS staff members,” said Staff Sergeant Dassi, Cameroon VBSS team member. “What we are learning here today will help us be prepared for the future. My team and I can use this training to help protect our country and enforce our laws.”

Part of the U.S. Navy’s Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa. Commander Task Force 365 and training teams from various U.S. and European military commands, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations are embarked on board Fort McHenry to enhance cooperative partnerships.