Thursday, August 13, 2009

DTN News: Arleigh Burke Wraps Up APS Mission In Tanzania

DTN News: Arleigh Burke Wraps Up APS Mission In Tanzania
*Source: DTN News / U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NSI News Source Info) DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - August 13, 2009: Africa Partnership Station (APS) Arleigh Burke arrived in Tanzania’s largest city yesterday Aug. 12, marking the final stop of the guided-missile destroyer’s APS initiative in South and East Africa. The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), named for Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN (1901–1996), is the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. She was laid down by the Bath Iron Works company at Bath, Maine, on 6 December 1988, and launched on 16 September 1989 by Mrs. Arleigh Burke. The Admiral himself was present at her commissioning ceremony on 4 July 1991, held on the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. While in port, USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) will participate in community relations projects and office calls with local officials. The ship will also host tours for invited guests and a reception aboard the ship. Arleigh Burke is deployed as part of the multinational APS initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. Although Arleigh Burke will conclude its APS initiative in Tanzania, the ship will continue to conduct operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility as part of its regularly scheduled deployment along the east coast of Africa. Arleigh Burke, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is the second APS platform to visit South and East Africa, and recently conducted theater security cooperation operations with partners in Djibouti, Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles. The ship also visited South Africa for exercises at sea with the South African Navy.

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