EuroCom CO wants more attaches for Africa

EuroCom CO wants more attaches for Africa
By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 19:06:02 EDT

To increase cooperation with African navies and boost joint maritime operations, the Navy must send more officers to Africa as naval attaches, the top U.S. admiral in Europe said Tuesday.

Adm. Harry Ulrich, commander of Naval Forces Europe, called for more naval personnel on the ground in Africa at a Washington think tank.

Ulrich explained that last year there were “only three” naval officers serving in Africa who weren’t assigned to a U.S. military installation in Djibouti. The number has since grown to 10, with “more to come”

He said the Navy needs more naval attaches and liaison officers in Africa to “build awareness of maritime operations around the continent.”

Many U.S. defense attaches in Africa are Army officers, with some from the Marine Corps and Air Force. Having more U.S. naval attaches would foster partnerships with African navies, Ulrich said, allowing the Navy to advise nations on maritime security and other matters.

Ulrich’s comments came the day the dock landing ship Fort McHenry deployed from Norfolk, Va., headed for West Africa. The Fort McHenry, along with the High-Speed Vessel Swift, will create the Africa Partnership Station, part of the Navy’s Global Fleet Station initiative.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_ulrich_africa_071016w/