"I think one of the critical benefits to working here is the involvement of partner nations

in the planning process," Capt. Cynthia Thebaud, Commander Destroyer Squadron 60, commanding officer of Africa Partnership Station, aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13) told bloggers and online journalists, March 18. "One of the things that we hear said the most frequently is the ... opportunity to come and work in a collaborative and cooperative environment with members of other west and central African navies."

Joining us on the call were David Axe, www.warisboring.com; and Jim Dolbow, www.blog.usni.org/.

“Africa Partnership Station responds to (East) African requests for training by providing a delivery vehicle for international, interagency

and non-governmental organization assistance,” said Commander, APS, USS Robert G. Bradley, Navy Capt. Nick Holman said. “The U.S. government and our Navy are committed to helping all African nations and regions achieve stability and economic prosperity and East Africa is looking for help.” Holman participated in a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable, March 11, just days after his return from leading the mission to Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania in which he explained the growing initiative and its impact in Africa.

Joining us on the call were Chuck Simmons, North Shore Journal; and David Axe, warisboring.com.

U.S. Army Looks to Take a Proactive Approach to Human Security

“Human security allows for much more of a proactive type of engagement towards finding solutions before crises become catastrophes and catastrophes become combat,” U.S. Army Maj. Shannon Beebe, senior Africa analyst, Office of United States Army Deputy Chief of Staff said to bloggers. Maj. Beebe is in Africa, working on emerging concepts of human security and their application to defense and security strategies in the 21st Century.

Joining us on the call were Chuck Simmins of the North Shore Journal, Greg Grant of NextGov.com, David Axe of the War is Boring, Chris Albon of War and Health, and Beth Wilson of Homefront in Focus.

"... no one country can go at these maritime threats by themselves ... " Capt. John Nowell

Capt. John Nowell, USN and commodore of the African Partnership Station 2008 spoke to us on today's DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable.

Joining us on today's call was Andrew Lubin of The Military Observer, David Axe of War is Boring, and Galrahn of Information Dissemination.