Spirit of Africa Partnership Station not Lost in Translation

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Goyak | Lt. j.g. Drago Goncalves, Portuguese naval officer, translates meteorological class information to members of the Sao Tome military, Mar 18. This class is one of several training courses being offered to the Sao Tome and Principe military on maritime safety and security to assist with illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking. Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in west and central Africa. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class RJ Stratchko)  

03.19.2008

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Goyak 

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By Petty Officer 1st Class Brian A. Goyak,
Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

SAO TOME, Sao Tome and Principe – Three members of the Portuguese navy and Marine Corps, as part of the international effort of Africa Partnership Station's recent engagement with the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, March 10-16, came on board to assist as translators.

Lt. Brieza Vaz, Lt. j.g. Drago Goncalves, and Lt. j.g. Dias Pinheiro reported to APS from various assignments in Portugal.

"The contributions of our Portuguese officer translators were instrumental to the success of the Africa Partnership Station engagement in Sao Tome and epitomize the inherent strengths of our multi-national approach as they not only translated but also provided their own very relevant expertise in the subjects that were being taught," said Capt. John Nowell, commander Africa Partnership Station. "Additionally, they were excellent role models in bearing and demeanor for the students."

As the Commanding Officer of NRP, Pegaso Lt. Vaz's experience working with the Portuguese coast guard enforcing maritime law made him the perfect choice as translator for the Maritime Law Seminar conducted by Defense Institute of International Legal Studies.

"We tried to match the translators up with classes where they could offer their experience as subject matter experts in addition to translating and I think that worked out for the best," said Lt. Cmdr. Jose Neto, Portuguese naval officer and APS operations officer.

Lt. j.g. Pinheiro's vessel, NRP Corte Real, had recently completed operational training in the United Kingdom. During this training, Pinheiro honed his skills in communication and navigation which applied to the course he acted as the translator for.

Lt. j.g. Drago Goncalves, of the Portuguese marine school, filled the role of translator for APS Public Affairs Officer where his language skills were put to use at various community relations projects and media events making it possible to get the APS story released to the public of STP and the international community.

"Lt. j.g. Drago's knowledge of Sao Tome and the island's culture allowed us to communicate effectively with the local media within the region. He introduced us to the right military personnel and basically opened the doors to the media and myself that would have otherwise been closed," said Lt. Cmdr. Jane Tyler, APS PAO.

Part of the U.S. Navy's Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in west and central Africa. Commander Task Force 365 and training teams from various U.S. and European military commands, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations are embarked on board Fort McHenry to enhance cooperative partnerships.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2008
• Date Posted: 03.19.2008 16:32
• Story ID: 17561