Subscribe
COOPERATIVE SECURITY LOCATION KISMAYO, Somalia — U.S. Army Task Force Bataan members, assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), conducted an Outstation Crisis Response Exercise (OSCRE) from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Kismayo, Somalia, to test their ability to rapidly deploy and integrate with local base defense operations Aug 27-28.
The EARF, a key component of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa is staged at CLDJ. It maintains a constant state of readiness, operating 24/7, to rapidly deploy in response to a wide range of crises throughout the region.
“The goal was to make the training as realistic as possible, with weapons, simulated violence of action, and the awareness that friendlies and partner nations are operating around us,” said U.S. Army Capt. Rachael Lindstrom, Task Force Bataan EARF commander.
Lindstrom added that one of the challenges was balancing the training scenario with ongoing real-world operations in the region. Despite the complexity, she said her Soldiers quickly adapted and demonstrated readiness.
“This was their first flyaway activation, and they were able to operate very quickly and efficiently,” Lindstrom said. “We had full accountability of personnel and equipment in every movement, and they integrated seamlessly with the ground force here.”
The exercise included training injects that forced troops to adjust their timeline and posture, while overcoming obstacles and engaging threats.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. George Bennett, Task Force Bataan operations sergeant major, said the scenario tested both planning and flexibility.
“The EARF executed very well,” Bennett said. “They’ve been rehearsing since June, and even with challenges like operating at night in an unfamiliar environment, they integrated with the local security force and handled it all very well.”
The training required coordination across multiple elements of CJTF-HOA, including aviation support, logistics and partner-nation integration.
For Soldiers on the ground, communication was key. U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Callier, EARF, senior radio-telephone operator, said his role allowed Lindstrom to focus on mission planning while he maintained communications across different echelons.
“If we can’t communicate, we don’t know what’s going on,” Callier said. “Exercises like this strengthen our readiness and cohesion. Every time we train in a realistic environment, we’re more prepared for whatever mission comes next.”
Task Force Bataan leadership said the exercise sets the stage for more complex training in the future and enhances the task force’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies across East Africa.
“Protecting the force is one of the most important lines of effort for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa,” Bennett said. “These exercises build our ability to protect the force.”
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2025 02:19 |
| Story ID: | 547484 |
| Location: | SO |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CJTF-HOA conducts security exercise in East Africa, by SGT Vivian Ainomugisha, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
