Africa-Press – Namibia. FOR the first time in Namibia’s history, elements of the Namibian Defence Force will perform joint military exercises with the Navy of the United States of America.
The arrival of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams in the port of Walvis Bay on Thursday morning announced the start of the visit of goodwill that exists between the two countries.
The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first U.S Navy vessel permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area. It is used as a staging base for military operations in situation where a low intensity threat exists.
The vessel is also used to deter criminal activity at sea off the coasts of various countries on the African Continent. The master of the naval vessel, Captain Chad Graham, during a special briefing on the dockside, said that the crew of the vessel will conduct three joint exercises with the Namibian Navy and Namibian Airforce.
“These exercises will include the first-ever Namibian Air Force helicopter landing aboard a U.S. Navy vessel, a ‘Visit, Board Search and Seizure’ exercise conducted by the Namibian Navy aboard the ship, and a joint-U.S.-Namibian Navy ‘Passage Exercise’,” Captain Graham said.
The visit will also present opportunities for senior military and government leadership to discuss future U.S.-Namibian engagements. The crew of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is set to play a soccer match against that of the Namibian Navy during the visit.
This visit is also aimed at showcasing the important partnership between the United States and Namibia, as well as a shared commitment to ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation in Namibian and South Atlantic waters.
