USS Gunston Hall to deploy Friday

NORFOLK, Va. - The USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), will deploy from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Friday in support of Africa Partnership Station (APS), the Navy announced Tuesday.

The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship is commanded by Cmdr. Fred Wilhelm.

According to the Navy, the Gunston Hall will visit three hubs in Africa - Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana - providing training customized to each country's expressed needs. At-sea training will also be conducted.

The Navy says additional nations will converge at these hubs to participate.

An international staff of African, European, South American and U.S. personnel will be embarked for this APS deployment.

The APS mission will be commanded by U.S. Navy Capt. Cindy Thebaud, commander of Task Force 365, responsible for all U.S. Navy activity in West and Central Africa.