Norfolk sailor interprets for APS West

DAKAR, Senegal - A U.S. sailor born and raised in Togo has found herself back in Africa on a unique mission aboard the Hampton Roads-based USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) supporting Africa Partnership Station West.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Chirstelle Byll, an operations specialist, came to the U.S. from her native Togo at age 19 and joined the Navy in December 2005. Currently assigned to Norfolk-based USS Stout (DDG-55), she was selected to assist instructors from the Security Force Assistance Detachment of the Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Assistance Training Command, using her native French-speaking skills to interpret the course material for sailors from various French-speaking African nations.

"A friend recommended me," Byll said. "I jumped right on it, knowing it would be a great opportunity to come back to Africa and help out. I went through an instructor school before joining the team. I then had to familiarize myself with the course material that we would be teaching to the African sailors."

Byll interpreted for the port-security and train-the-trainer classes taught by Navy Chief Petty Officer Jerry Mosley that included sailors and coast guardsmen from Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia and Equatorial Guinea.

"Byll is a great asset to the team," Mosley said. "She brings with her an understanding of the African culture and can also relate to being a U.S. sailor."

Chief Petty Officer Joseph Ndiaye of the Senegalese navy said he was thrilled to have the African-born U.S. sailor interpret for him.

"I was unaware at first that she was from Togo," he said. "This was a big surprise and a great opportunity, because she knows both cultures."

Byll said she plans to make a career in the Navy, noting she eventually wants to obtain an officer's commission.

The training being conducted through Africa Partnership Station West is part of an international initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in Africa. It's designed to enhance professional development and provide a valuable motivational and instructional experience to increase the awareness of maritime safety and security, officials said.

The USS Gunston Hall left Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story-Little Creek on Jan. 15th. Originally scheduled to head directly to Africa Partnership Station, the ship was initially diverted to Haiti to assist with earthquake relief efforts. The ship left Haitian waters and headed to Africa on Feb. 12th.

The Gunston Hall completed the final phase of its APS mission and departed Dakar, Senegal, on April 26.

(Compiled from report by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton)