By Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Alan Goode, USS Nicholas Public Affairs
USS NICHOLAS, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nicholas (FFG 47) arrived in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) Dec. 8 after a five-day transit across the Atlantic Ocean.
Nicholas will be participating in Africa Partnership Station (APS). APS, originally a U.S. Navy initiative, is now an international effort aimed at improving maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa through training and other collaborative activities with African partner countries.
"We're excited to begin working in this important area of operations with our maritime partners," said Cmdr. Mark Kesselring, commanding officer of Nicholas. "USS Nicholas is looking forward to a great deployment and making a positive difference everywhere she goes."
Nicholas, along with High Speed Vessel Swift 2, and are scheduled to visit ports in Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros during this deployment.
Homeported in Norfolk, Va., Nicholas is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate and is deploying independently. Nicholas has a high capability against high speed surface craft at short range and is manned by more than 180 Sailors and is capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots. She was built in Bath, Maine in 1982 and commissioned in 1984.