Missouri National Guard unit 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade supports Eastern Accord 2012

Photo By Christina Bhatti | Capt. Scott Weitzel, far right) of Nixa, Mo., 110th Manuver Enhancement Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard, Maj. Leonard Chiwesa, Col. Kuek Akot Kuek, Sudan People's Liberation Army, Maj. Patrice Rugawba, Rwanda Defence Force, Lt. Col. Allen Pepper, of Vincenza, Italy, United States Army Africa, Col. Leonidas Bandenzamaso, Burundi National Defence Force and Lt. Col. Ibrahim Elmi Kaib, Djibouti Defence Force attend a small break-out session during Eastern Accord 2012. Eastern Accord is a United States Army Africa counter violent extremism exercise. USARAF is the premier Army team dedicated to enhancing security in Africa through collaborative partnerships.  

ARUSHA, TANZANIA

09.08.2012

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

By Capt. Michelle Matthews,
70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ARUSHA, Tanzania - The Missouri National Guard is commanded by Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner. The mission of the MONG is to organize, train and prepare a family and community based force of ready citizen- soldiers and airmen as units to defend and serve the people of Missouri and the United States of America. There are approximately 11,500 citizen- soldiers and airmen in the Missouri National Guard. The MONG has approximately 1200 soldiers and airmen deployed in supporting various operations throughout the United States and the world.

Currently Missouri Army National Guard unit 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is conducting operations in Arusha, Tanzania supporting Eastern Accord 2012. Eastern Accord is a U.S. Army Africa training exercise that is designed to help the U.S. and East African participants improve their capability to respond to regional security threats posed by Violent Extremist Groups and to more effectively counter the associated Violent Extremist Ideology.
Col. William Ward, commander, 110th MEB of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Command Sgt. Maj. John Sportsman of Maitland, Mo., Missouri Army National Guard are in charge of the operations during Eastern Accord 2012.

“Our mission here is to conduct an academic program and table top exercise to improve understanding of violent extremism and share best practices to deter violent extremism in Africa. MOARNG are partnering with Tanzania Peoples Defence Force counterparts to provide command and control for the exercise and help execute and facilitate the table top exercise,” said Ward.

The 110th MEB has been planning Eastern Accord 2012 for over a year. By partnering with the Tanzania Peoples Defence Force and other U.S. Army Africa units, soldiers of the 110th MEB are gaining valuable experience working in a multi-national environment.

“This is a very important exercise for soldiers in the 110th MEB. We are learning a great deal of information about countering violent extremism and continue to sharpen our skills as facilitators. The culminating Table Top Exercise will allow for our soldiers to showcase their expertise,” said Sportsman.

Members from the 110th are performing multiple missions. One the key mission is the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, Integration portion. The group is responsible for coordinating travel to and from the United States and inter-country travel from the seven East African countries represented. In addition to the RSOI portion the 110th MEB will be responsible for facilitating the final Table Top Exercise which will occur from Sept. 10-12. Facilitators from the 110th MEB include: Lt. Col. Marty Clay, of St. Louis, Lt. Col. Ronny Mast, of Cassville, Mo., Maj. Damon Lacour, of Lee Summit, Mo., Maj. Arlen Albers, of Cottleville, Mo., Maj. Jonathan Sloop, Kirksville, Mo., Maj. Peter McCann, of Lee Summit, Mo., Capt. Scott Weitzel, of Nixa, Mo., and 1st. Lt. Logan Merrill, of Hazelwood, Mo., will record each group during the TTX.

Eastern Accord 2012 is from Sept. 5-12. Several 110th MEB soldiers will remain in Tanzania until Sept.15 to ensure all personnel return safely to their homelands.

• Date Taken: 09.08.2012
• Date Posted: 09.10.2012 08:48
• Story ID: 94444
• Location: ARUSHA, TZ