Photo By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lundberg | DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Eastern Accord 2016 participants take group photographs at...... read more read more
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After two weeks of class work, planning processes and the command post exercise execution, approximately 200 Eastern Accord 2016 participants walk away with increased knowledge of peacekeeping operations, July 22, 2016, at the Tanzanian Peacekeeping Training Centre, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The closing ceremony marked the end of the U.S. Army Africa-led EA16. The exercise is an annual, combined, joint military exercise that brought together nine partner nations to practice and demonstrate proficiency in conducting peacekeeping operations.
Military and civilian personnel were empowered to build readiness, maintain U.S. and African coalition partnerships, facilitate interoperability between partner militaries and build capacity of participating forces.
“Twelve days ago during the opening ceremony, I challenged all of our exercise partners from Tanzania, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda to come to work energized and to be prepared to learn and to get better each and every day,’” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jon Jensen, U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general and co-exercise director.
“And you have done that. To watch your progress over the 12 days has been rewarding to observe. Thank you for your professionalism and dedication to one another,” said Jensen.
Over the course of the exercise, injects were intentionally used to provide a real world feel for the training participants. They included piracy, smuggling, human trafficking, natural disasters and many more, said Tanzanian Brig. Gen. Yohanna Ocholla Mabongo, EA16 co-director. The training audience also simulated involvement with police and civilian organizations during the CPX.
“It is imperative for our nations and our militaries to contribute to collective efforts in making our world a safer place for all of us to live,” said Tanzanian Gen. Davis A Mwamunyange, Chief of Defence Forces. “And therefore I am gladly obliged to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the participants and respective governments and organizations for demonstrating your commitment to joining global efforts in finding sustainable solutions for common security challenges.”
The participants were given more tools for their toolbox and therefore are duty-bound to pass on their new skills and knowledge to their respective units, said Jenson.
Mwamunyange ended his speech with a quote and perspective of the challenges faced while training.
“’Every cup full of water has a little sand in it.’ From that stand point there’s no doubt that in the planning and execution of the exercise you may have faced some challenges, let us all see that those challenges are an opportunity of further improvement,” he said. “I’m confident that your critique points during the after action review will dually inform the planning, organization and execution of subsequent exercises in the future.”
The participants exchanged handshakes, group photos and fist bumps at the end of the ceremony as they prepare to return to their units with gained knowledge of each other and peacekeeping operations for future real world situations.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2016 07:39 |
| Story ID: | 204695 |
| Location: | TZ |
| Web Views: | 103 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Eastern Accord 2016 comes to an end, by SSgt Tiffany Lundberg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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