USS Bradley to Visit Tanzania-Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Mitchell.

From Right Lt. Col. Timoth Mitchel Us Defense Attache,Larry E. Andre Jr. Charge d' Affaires and Jeffrey A. Salaiz First Secretary Public Affairs

First, I’d like to say that during my first month living in your beautiful country-almost 18 months ago in Sept 2007- I sat before a similar audience and discussed the first ever U.S ship visit to Tanzania – the visit of USS Forrest Sherman. It’s now with great pride that I have the honor to once again speak to you about a U.S. naval ship visit to Tanzania.

As the Charg’e mentioned, USS Robert G. Bradley’s visit to Tanzania demonstrates the U.S commitment to African maritime safety and security. The USS Bradley is coming to Tanzania after spending a week in Mozambique. After spending a week or so in Dar es Salaam, the ship will travel on to Kenya and later to Djibouti. During its port stops USS Robert G. Bradley will focus on building cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services to achieve common international goals such as stability and security along the African coast.

In numerous recent conferences on sea power and maritime concerns-including one that took place here in Tanzania in April 2008-our partner nations in Africa expressed a need and desire for improved maritime safety and security. The visit of USS Robert G. Bradley represents a step by the U.S. to respond to this request for assistance in dealing with maritime challenges such as unlawful fishing, piracy and illegal trafficking.

During its stay in Dar es salaam the crew of USS Robert G. Bradley will engage in both training and social events with the TPDF navy. The training will consist of four days of specific skills training with TPDF sailors. The training will be conducted both on USS Robert G. Bradley and in a classroom environment, and will cover areas such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training, small boat operations and maintenance, damage control procedures and naval watch officer training. The intent is that working and training alongside partner nation civil and military services will improve interoperability while providing opportunities to build critical personal relationships across borders and services. It is important to emphasize that while the ship visit imparts expertise to east Africa partner nations to improve professional maritime knowledge and skills, it is a two-way exchange of expertise-our naval personnel will also learn from their Tanzania counterparts.
Other than training, while in port the ship will host an on-board evening reception and will host several ship tours for TPDF personnel, diplomats, and Tanzanian government officials and local businessmen. The crew will also participate in a social event at the TPDF Naval base and will participate in both football (soccer) and basketball sporting events with the TPDF. The crew will also provide some refurbishment and maintenance at a local orphanage. Finally, a U.S Navy band will perform concerts at several venues to include local schools, an orphanage, restaurants and the Dar es salaam Yacht Club.
In closing, I’ d like to add that from my perspective one of the most important aspects of the ship visit is that it provides over 200 U.S. sailors the opportunity to experience what I experience on a daily basis-the beauty of the Tanzanian country and the warmth and hospitality of the Tanzania people. Thank you