Media availability with ND National Guard commander in Cameroon

Courtesy Photo | Col. Giselle "Gigi" Wilz, Task Force Central commander for Central Accord 2013.  

DOUALA, CAMEROON

02.28.2013

Courtesy Story

North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

DOUALA, Cameroon – Col. Giselle Wilz, Task Force Central commander for Central Accord 2013, will be available for phone interviews from Cameroon at 2 p.m. Central time Friday, March 1, to discuss the U.S. Army Africa exercise and the work of North Dakota Guard soldiers there. It is the first time North Dakota soldiers have participated in an exercise in the country.

Wilz, who lives in Bismarck, N.D., serves as the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander.

She has been leading about 160 U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen throughout the exercise in Douala, where nearly 40 North Dakota National Guard soldiers are providing direct support to exercise operation and the nearly 750 military participants from the U.S., Cameroon, and five other African partner nations.

The 10-day exercise is aimed to enhance African partner militaries’ abilities to support aerial supply deliveries and provide medical treatment and evacuation. It will conclude with a closing ceremony Friday morning at the Cameroon Air Force Base, Douala. Wilz will be available for comment later that day via phone.

To join the phone conference, call 701-333-2980, password: ‘2001’. Phone lines open at 1:45 p.m. Please identify name of media organization when prompted by automated system.

U.S. Army Africa (http://www.usaraf.army.mil/) hosts Central Accord annually to enhance military interoperability, providing an opportunity for African militaries to achieve new goals while giving U.S. forces the opportunity to improve their abilities in training and operating with foreign militaries.

Formerly named Atlas Accord (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/issue.php?issue=2012-02-07), Central Accord was initiated in 1996 as part of the long-term commitment the U.S. has to Africa and the trans-Saharan region. U.S. Army Africa, as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command, enables partnered relations while conducting joint multi-national military engagements to promote security, stability and peace.

 
WHAT: Media availability with Col. Giselle Wilz, Task Force Central commander.

WHEN: 2-2:15 p.m. Central time, Friday, March 1, 2013.

HOW: Phone-in 701-333-2980, Password: ‘2001’.

MEDIA: No pre-coordination required. For more information, call Bill Prokopyk at 701-333-2129.

• Date Taken: 02.28.2013
• Date Posted: 02.28.2013 16:35
• Story ID: 102720
• Location: DOUALA, CM