Eastern Africa Standby Force Exercise Progressing

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Robert Gallagher | Students of the Arta Military Academy, Ahmed Said, near, and Gueda Farah, raise flags of the 10 countries that are participating in the Eastern African Standby Force Field Training Exercise before a ceremony on the parade grounds of the academy in Arta, Djibouti, Dec. 3, 2009. The exercise is a multinational, multidimensional exercise that is designed to test the EASF initial operating capabilities. This series of field exercises are being conducted in the host nation of Djibouti Nov. 29 - Dec. 4, 2009.  

DJIBOUTI, DJIBOUTI

12.03.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse

DJIBOUTI -- Members of the Eastern Africa region militaries continue with training scenarios as they enter day five of the Eastern Africa Standby Force Field Training Exercise hosted in Djibouti.

This exercise brought 10 member states of the Eastern Africa region together in the first-ever multinational operation to learn how to work together in responding to and resolving crises within their countries.

"This is the first time we have seen a multinational operation on the African continent," said British Lt. Col. Guy Levene, Advisor to the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade commander. "That in itself is a very important sign."

According to Levene, the exercise is bringing the nations of the Eastern Africa region together.

"It's all to do with the development of the initial operating capability for the multinational Eastern Africa Standby Brigade," said Levene. "It is an important step in actually developing their ability to produce African solutions to African problems."

As the 10 African states work together, the exercise has also provided them with a unique opportunity to meet each other and to learn how each military force operates.

"I think the main opportunity is to get them to work together at the command and control level," said U.S. Navy Capt. Peter Van Loon, EASF FTX civil military coordination evaluator and the Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa Comptroller deputy director.

The Kenya army and the Djiboutian police worked together to resolve an exercise scenario. They responded to a crisis where medical relief and transport were provided, maintained perimeter security, all while a crowd tried to infiltrate their defense.

The two forces maintained a secured perimeter and used non-lethal force to keep the civilian population under control. This allowed the medical team to set up a tent to house injured personnel and provide treatment.

"The EASF has performed extremely well, especially with the integration between the civilian and military and the various countries," said Van Loon. "I am impressed with how the Africans have been able to coordinate different units within different countries."

This exercise is another step along the path to reaching the EASBRIGCOM goals of creating a fully functioning regional brigade to respond to the needs of Africa, according to Levene.

"It is a good challenge for the region and brings many benefits in terms of the unity and the cohesion of the region," said Comoros army Gen. Salimou Oumri, Chief of Defense Staff and Chair of Eastern Africa Standby Forces. "It gives us the courage and the hope to go ahead."

• Date Taken: 12.03.2009
• Date Posted: 12.03.2009 13:12
• Story ID: 42297
• Location: DJIBOUTI, DJ