The Coast Guard needs a FAO program (or an Africa FAO program at least). Almost every American Embassy in Africa (and more importantly African nation) could benefit from having a permanent Coast Guard billet. Most African countries need to learn how to build a Coast Guard not a navy, but I am pretty sure that in all of Africa there is only one permanent Coast Guard billet at an embassy. That is all.
Links:
http://africacenter.org/2009/12/navies-versus-coast-guards-defining-the-roles-of-african-maritime-security-forces/
Links:
http://africacenter.org/2009/12/navies-versus-coast-guards-defining-the-roles-of-african-maritime-security-forces/
Actually, a very good idea! Like many places, lots of littoral African states want (or demand) a blue water navy. Few of them can even immunize children against childhood diseases let alone maintain, fuel, train and equip ships to sail the globe for no value.
ReplyDeleteWhat many could actually use is a coast guard like force that protects fisheries, interdicts trafficking, performs search and rescue and so on. If only this would sink in. Adding Coastie billets would be helpful. Though to be honest, as a groundpounder, I enjoyed covering down on the task while in West Africa.
I thought that was role of US Navy's Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command out of Little Creek?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately they aren't adequately resourced or staffed to take the role of our 'big Navy's' interaction in Africa thus far. What we need are Coast Guard officers in the Offices of Security Cooperation working to build maritime security forces.
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