ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 12, 2011) - Ensign Ryan Thomas, a French interpreter aboard Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911), explains an upcoming maritime law enforcement mission to Senegalese marines as part of an African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP). AMLEP is a branch of Africa Partnership Station (APS) that focuses on operating side-by-side with regional maritime services in order to stop and deter illicit transnational maritime activity by conducting these operations with African navies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Etta Smith/RELEASED)