Her Majesty's Ship (HMS) Argyll visited Dakar
HMS Argyll visited Dakar to participate in the SAHARAN EXPRESS Exercise aimed at developing interoperability across West Africa.
On its way to a routine deployment in the South Atlantic HMS Argyll visited Dakar from 6-14 March in support of the International Exercise SAHARAN EXPRESS together with Senegal, Morocco, Mauritania, The Gambia, Cape Verde, France, Spain and the United States. The aim of this exercise SAHARAN EXPRESS is to develop interoperability across West Africa. The British Ambassador took advantage of the reception hosted by Captain Neild and his crew on board to thank the Senegalese Armed Forces for all the cooperation they provide to visiting British military personnel throughout the year and applaud the contribution that Senegal makes to international peacekeeping, including its participation in African-led efforts to defeat terrorist forces in Mali. HE John Marshall also mentioned the Dakar-based Sentinel Surveillance Aircraft, a key element of the UK contribution to international efforts in Mali that provides transport and surveillance support to the French authorities and African troop contributors and the Foreign Secretary William Hague’s visit to Mali early March.