Photo By Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy-commanding general of Combined...... read more read more
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U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, visited Bujumbura, Burundi, May 8-10 to participate in key leader engagements with Burundi National Defence Force, and U.S. Embassy teams and leadership.
The objective and desired effect of the trip was to build relations with the BNDF and familiarize Kriesel with the partner nation, which is mission essential in support of national objectives.
“These face-to-face interactions create longstanding trust, which enables strategic access and furthers African solutions,” said Kriesel. “Engagements such as these are invaluable to an organization. What appears as a few short days of meetings, in reality, results in being more prepared today than yesterday, and has an exponential effect--you can't surge trust.”
While visiting the Senior Command and Staff College, Burundi’s school for premier military training, Kriesel noted that the curriculum and training mirrors U.N. peacekeeping principles and focuses on economics, engineering and research. The BNDF is also improving their online library and computer technology.
“Without a doubt, we are both on the same page when it comes to preparing our future service members for success and keeping not just Burundi, but the continent of Africa as a whole, in the future scopes,” said Kriesel. “Building relationships with militaries across the combined joint operations area is vital to bolstering safety, security and peace."
During Kriesel’s meeting with BNDF chief of defense Lt. Gen. Prime Niyongabo, the leaders discussed support to African Union Missions in Somalia, future air operations and training younger generations for future military operations.
“Partnership with the U.S. [and other partner nations] is paramount to the future of peacekeeping in our region,” said Niyongabo. “We are thankful to have met with General Kriesel and furthered our ties.”
In addition to meeting with Niyongabo and visiting the Mudubugu Training Facility, Kriesel toured the Kamenge Military Hospital and also had the opportunity to thank U.S. Marines assigned as security to the U.S. Embassy in Burundi.
“Anytime I have the opportunity to speak to and thank U.S. patriots who are overseas serving their country, it's a golden opportunity,” Kriesel said. “Those who don the fabric of our nation and stand guard to protect American assets are deserving of my time.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2019 06:34 |
| Story ID: | 324254 |
| Location: | BI |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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