Admiral Stuart Munsch, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, is also top commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Angola was a colony of NATO founding member Portugal for four hundred years: 1575-1975.

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U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/Sixth Fleet
November 3, 2022

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrives in Luanda, Angola

The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Luanda, Angola for a regularly scheduled port visit, Nov. 2, 2022.

During the port visit, Hershel “Woody” Williams will host a reception to continue building relationships with senior Angolan government and military leaders….

“After an extended period of time at sea where we worked side-by-side with our Angolan partners in maritime exercise Grand African NEMO, we are pleased to have the opportunity to build on that partnership with a port visit to Luanda,” said Capt. Michael E. Concannon, commanding officer, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams….

Hershel “Woody” Williams last visited Luanda in September 2021. Angola is an important partner of the United States in promoting peace and security in Africa….Additionally, Angola participated in exercise Obangame Express in March 2022, a multinational maritime exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command….

Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support missions assigned.

Photo: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa