Lobito, Angola

Hey Family!

Greetings from Lobito, Angola. Angola is a former Portuguese colony but won it’s independence from Portugal app. 30 years ago. Two groups claimed that they had been the ones that ‘won’ independence from imperial Portugal…and the country fell into a bloody civil war. The fight over the country became a secondary stage for the cold war, the US supporting one side and Russia supporting the other (obw, the side Russia supported is still in power). Their President has ruled over Angola since they won independence, so he’s been at the head of government for nearly 30 years…and he just got reelected for 3 more 5 year terms (I’m sure that election was legit…). They also garner close relationships w/ Cuba and China…and China gets 1/3 of it’s oil from Angola…so as you can imagine, this was not our usual port visit.

Our role here was to begin to build some trust and a working relationship w/ the Angolan Navy. Many of their senior military commanders and the government itself is still very wary to work with the US on anything. However, we do share a common goal; Maritime Security. It’s in both of our best interests for them to have better control of their sea lanes, both to dissuade illegal activities on the high seas (narcotics, human trafficking, fishing regulations, and piracy prevention). Improved maritime security helps them grow their economy and improve quality of life for their people and making them money to improve infrastructure, human rights and many other benefits.

While here in Angola, ELROD sailors “engaged” (we were told this was a bad word here, as it denotes that we know more than them) w/ their Sailors, conducting mutual training on Search and Rescue, Damage Control, Visit Board Search and Seizure tactics (how you board vessels doing illegal things). Their military officers were very proud (a mix of Portuguese bravado and Communist arrogance) w/ a suspicious eye on any activity w/ the US Navy. Needless to say we smiled a lot and walked on egg shells. Trying to stay on message and still have a positive engagement w/ them.

Our sailors also took part in a Community Relations project by painting an orphanage for handicap boys and girls. All the children had birth defects that prevented them from walking. They all lived in a communal school where their mentors helped build their character and self esteem. In Africa, or at least in Angola, handicapped children are ostracized from society. They are often kicked out of the house by their own families to sleep w/ the farm animals. These poor kids had such spirit and determination, watching them get around, often on their hands and knees, was heartbreaking. However, I was certainly glad to help where I could. 20 ELROD sailors and I painted their orphanage, made repairs to a few wheel chairs, a fence, and a leaking water pump. We got to sit down and talk w/ the kids for a while after the projects and enjoyed lollipops together that we’d brought from the ship.


While I was there, I talked w/ the lady (Anna, a Swiss social worker) that ran the orphanage. Anna told me stories of extreme abuse many of these children had weathered through. She said most of them would never be able to integrate in society, unlike the handicapped in America or Europe they had a dark future. It was a sad story, but she asked if the kids could come to the ship for a visit. Although, the ship is not equipped w/ elevators, nor is it very safe for children who can’t walk, I just could not tell her no. If they could not come onboard, we’d bring the tour to them. I called the ship and arranged the schedule for a visit the next day (today). Instead of having them onboard, we set up the whole tour route on the pier…static displays of firefighting, police, search and rescue, and our weapons systems were presented by our Sailors. The children got to ask questions, talk w/ our Sailors, and try on a bunch of gear for pictures. The smiles on their faces were absolutely priceless. Overall, it was a great day…truly lifting my spirits!

J.R.