US Navy,
MINDELO, Cape Verde: As part of a Naval Forces Europe/6th Fleet strategic priority to improve regional maritime security and safety, the USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) conducted visit, board, search and seizure drills with the Cape Verdian ship Tainha (P 262) on April 4.
The drill took place off the coast of the West African island nation and, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 60 commander, Capt. John Nowell, who led the U.S. military engagement and embarked Legare for the exercise, said it was the most in-depth practical exercise ever between the two coast guards.
“These are the types of efforts that are contributing to the CNO’s ‘1000-ship Navy’ initiative,” said Nowell. “The Legare and other U.S. Naval vessels that deploy to this area are providing vital expertise to help African maritime partners like Cape Verde build core competencies and capability.”
U.S. Ambassador to Cape Verde Roger Pierce said the exercises were vital to the area's security. “The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy have tremendously critical roles in assisting maritime countries in Africa,” he said. “U.S. involvement helps reinforce the importance of security and training and it is very important to Cape Verde to improve their maritime security.”
The exercise was divided into two portions, with each coast guard practicing VBSS techniques by boarding the other’s ship. During the scenario, each ship posed as illegal drug traffickers, with some crew members posing as fishermen or civilians. The acting VBSS team’s job was to board the suspicious vessel and search for hidden drugs aboard the ship.
“The training this week was great,” said Cape Verde coast guardsman Capt. Pedro Santana. “The U.S. is very good at what they do. They are very organized and if we learn just a little of what they have to offer, it will be a big step for us.”
Nowell agreed that the training will prove to be valuable in the future.
“I think the VBSS training went very well and that the Cape Verdians will be able to apply what they’ve learned to help make this region inhospitable to maritime criminals,” said Nowell.
According to Pierce, the exposure to professional Coast Guard and Navy personnel has had a positive influence on the Cape Verde military.
“The Portuguese coast guard and the Cape Verdian Coast Guard were doing training exercises last summer,” Pierce said. “The Cape Verdian Coast Guard was very impressed with the way the Portuguese Coast Guard conducted operations. Cape Verde asked the Portuguese where they learned these skills. The Portuguese said, ‘The U.S. Navy taught us.'”
