FORT DRUM, N.Y. (March 1, 2018) - The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, as part of the Regionally Aligned Force for the United States Africa Command, provided staff mentorship to Uganda People's Defense Force officers during a bilateral exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft. Polk. The event concluded February 26.
The mentorship was part of a larger three-week exercise to support African theater security operations in the fight against terrorist threats.
Three officers assigned to Havoc Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1BCT, provided the mentorship.
"This event was a great opportunity for our team to forge partnerships through effective training with our Ugandan Peoples Defense Force partners so that we can be ready now," said Capt. Christopher Liebes, Havoc Troop commander and RAF team member.
The UPDF officers arrived at Fort Polk alongside 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers. Once integrated, the UPDF first received improvised explosive device training. Next, they operated as the host nation security force which included establishing passage points for their troops, maneuvering, and being a battle space owner.
According to Leibes, participants gained a better understanding of their roles in the alignment with AFRICOM, and UPDF leaders were better equipped to enhance the theater security cooperation missions in their region.
"While our team numbers at JRTC were small," said Liebes, "the impact of what we've learned and the partnerships we've built are tremendous. Our lessons learned on this side of the Atlantic can be quickly taught to our parent unit in a train the trainer perspective, if needed."
Content Provided by Capt. Christopher Liebes
Commander, Havoc Troop, 3-71 CAV
Edited by Capt. Ed Robles
1BCT, 10MTN PAO