Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA and the United States of America shares a commitment to ensure safety, security and freedom of navigation on the high seas. In this regard, the arrival of a United States of America Navy vessel, the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams in the port of Walvis Bay and the military exercises with elements of the Namibian Defence Force, has solidified the agreement between the governments of the both countries to ensure that the high seas remain open for trade.
The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Frans Kapofi, who on Thursday closed the 29th Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security with his counterpart from Botswana was invited to do an onboard visit to the American navy vessel.
While on board, Kapofi welcomed the captain and the crew of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams to Namibia before he was introduced to the functioning and military role of the vessel by Captain Chad Graham.
“We are looking forward to join our counterparts from the United States in the planned joint exercises. The visit by the American navy vessel will give the Namibian Navy the opportunity to test its capabilities,” he said.
Kapofi said that the visit also showcased Namibia’s capability to host ships of any size in its ports. When the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams leaves the port of Walvis Bay on Saturday the Namibian Navy vessel, the NS Brendan Simbwaye will conduct a manoeuvre known as a Passage Exercise.
The Namibian navy ship will escort the American navy ship from the country’s territorial waters. During the exercise, the ships will communication drills and practice an at-sea rendezvous and joint manoeuvres.
The Chargé d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy in Namibia, Jesica Long, thanked the Namibian delegation for making time to visit the ship while it is docked in the port of Walvis Bay. Long pointed out that the vessel was named after United States Marine who fought at Iwo Jima in the Second World War.
“Corporal Hershel W Williams was awarded for the Medal of Honour for heroism above and beyond the call of duty. He left the Marine Corps after the war, but rejoined a few years later and left in his wake a long legacy of service. This vessel, which carries his name, is continuing his legacy of service on the high seas,” Long said.
She said that Namibia and the United States share a long history of security cooperation. “We hope that this port visit represents an instalment in our partnership and lay the foundation for future engagement,” Long said.
She said exchanges like these afford the two nations the opportunity to not only showcase their interoperability, but also lay the foundations for deeper partnership and collaboration.
Besides the visit to the ship by the defence minister, senior military and government officials discussed future engagements between the armed forces of the two nations.
Namibia has been an essential partner in the Obangambe Express exercise series, which is the largest multilateral maritime exercise on the west coast of Africa. Namibia is set to participate in the Obangambe Express in 2022.
