About AFRICOMU.S. Africa Command, with partners, counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.Our Approach ~ U.S. Africa Command most effectively advances U.S. national security interests through focused, sustained engagement with partners in support of our shared security objectives. The command's operations, exercises and security cooperation programs support U.S. Government foreign policy, primarily through military-to-military activities and assistance programs. These activities, coordinated with U.S. embassy country teams and each African partner nation, build strong, enduring partnerships to improve security and stability in Africa.
Our core mission of assisting African states and regional organizations to strengthen their defense capabilities better enables Africans to address their security threats and reduces threats to U.S. interests. We concentrate our efforts on contributing to the development of capable and professional militaries that respect human rights, adhere to the rule of law, and more effectively contribute to stability in Africa.U.S. Africa Command
AFRICOM
Organization_8b3c11ec-1d3a-4eac-8988-88c4ccf4559bU.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of 11 U.S. Department of Defense combatant commands, each with a geographic or functional mission that provides command and control of military forces in peace and war. AFRICOM employs the broad-reaching diplomacy, development, and defense approach to foster interagency efforts and help negate the drivers of conflict and extremism in Africa.
A full-spectrum combatant command, AFRICOM is responsible for all U.S. Department of Defense operations, exercises, and security cooperation on the African continent, its island nations, and surrounding waters. The area of responsibility consists of 53 African states, more than 800 ethnic groups, over 1,000 languages, vast natural resources, a land mass of 11.2 million square miles (three-and-a-half times the size of the U.S.), and nearly 19,000 miles of coastland.
AFRICOM began initial operations Oct. 1, 2007, and became fully operational Oct. 1, 2008.Kelley BarracksLocation ~ U.S. Africa Command is located at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart-Möhringen, Germany.U.S. Naval Forces AfricaHeadquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Africa's primary mission is to improve the maritime security capability and capacity of African partners. Personnel are shared with U.S. Naval Forces Europe.Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of AfricaHeadquartered at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa is the U.S. Africa Command organization that conducts operations in the region to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.U.S. Army AfricaOperating from Vicenza, Italy, U.S. Army Africa conducts sustained security engagement with African land forces to promote security, stability, and peace.U.S. Air Forces AfricaAs the air component of U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Air Forces Africa conducts sustained security engagement and operations to promote air safety, security, and development in Africa. Located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, U.S. Air Forces Africa personnel are combined with U.S. Air Forces EuropeU.S. Special Operations Command AfricaCo-located with U.S. Africa Command at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa aims to build operational capacity, strengthen regional security and capacity initiatives, and eradicate violent extremist organizations.U.S. Marine Corps Forces AfricaLocated in Stuttgart, Germany, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa conducts operations, exercises, training, and security cooperation activities throughout the African continent. Its staff is shared U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe.AFRICOM PersonnelU.S. Africa Command has approximately 2,000 assigned personnel, including military, U.S. federal civilian employees, and U.S. contractor employees. About 1,400 work at the command's headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Others are assigned to AFRICOM units at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and RAF Molesworth, U.K. The command's programs in Africa are coordinated through Offices of Security Cooperation and Defense Attaché Offices in approximately 38 nations. The command also has liaison officers at key African posts, including the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre in Ghana.
AFRICOM is part of a diverse interagency team that reflects the talents, expertise, and capabilities within the entire U.S. government. The command employs Senior Foreign Service officers in key positions as well as more than 30 personnel from more than 10 U.S. government departments and agencies, including the Departments of State and Homeland Security, and the U.S. Agency for International Development - the senior State Department official serves as the deputy to the commander for civil-military engagement.
Interagency partners bring invaluable expertise to help the command ensure its plans and activities complement those of other U.S. government programs and fit within the context of U.S. foreign policy.AFRICOM ComponentsOur Team ~ U.S. Africa Command’s components and subordinate units set the conditions for the success of security cooperation programs and activities on the continent. They perform detailed planning, provide essential command and control, establish and sustain positive relationships with African partners, and execute the bulk of the programs, exercises and activities directed by AFRICOM.Kirk SmithLt. Gen., U.S. Air Force | Deputy Commander ~ Lt. Gen. Kirk Smith is assigned as the Deputy Commander, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. He is responsible to the Commander to help direct and enable operations, activities, and investments for the command as they promote the national security interests for the U.S. in the 11.2 million square mile USAFRICOM area of responsibility, consisting of 53 African countries. USAFRICOM works with partners to counter transnational threats and malign actors, strengthen security forces, and respond to crisis in order to advance US national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.
General Smith graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989. After completing undergraduate pilot training, he remained at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, as a T-37 instructor pilot. Following MH-53J qualification, he completed multiple operational flying assignments to include squadron command. General Smith has been assigned to major command, air staff and multiple joint staffs. General Smith was Deputy Commanding General-Operations, NATO Special Operations Component Command/Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, Bagram, Afghanistan.
Prior to assuming his current position, General Smith was Commander, Special Operations Command Europe, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. In this role, he was responsible for operations for all U.S. special operations forces in the European Command area of operations.Richard D. ThresherSgt. Maj., U.S. Marine Corps | Command Senior Enlisted Leader ~ Sergeant Major Richard D. Thresher assumed duties as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Africa Command, on Feb. 28, 2020. Prior to joining AFRICOM, he served as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Thresher enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1990 and became an artilleryman. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy and the Joint Forces Staff College and has completed other professional military courses. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree from American Military University and a graduate-level certificate from East Carolina University.
Sergeant Major Thresher has served at various levels in the Marine Corps, including as the Sergeant Major, 2d Radio Battalion (Signals Intelligence); Sergeant Major, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division; Sergeant Major, Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force; Sergeant Major Installations, Camp Courtney and McTureous, Marine Corps Bases in Okinawa, Japan; Sergeant Major, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force; and Sergeant Major, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. He also served as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego and as a sergeant instructor and first sergeant at the Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va.
His deployments include: Desert Shield/Saber/Storm 1990-91 (Kuwait); Operation Sea Angel 1990 (Bangladesh); Joint Task Force-6 Counter Narcotics-Santa Monica, CA 1992 / Texas 1993; Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 2003 / OIF 04-06, 2005 / OIF 5-7/681, 2006-07; Combined Arms Exercise (x5) Twenty-nine Palms; Unit Deployment 1992 (Okinawa, Japan); Bridgeport (Cold Weather x 2 California); Maritime Combined Operations Training (MARCOT) 1997 (Nova Scotia / New Foundland; Battle Griffin 1997(Norway); Jungle Training 2008 (Brunei); Balikitan 2011 (Philippines); Ulchi Freedom Guardian-UFG (x3) 2010-2012 (Okinawa); Dawn Blitz, 2d MEB, Camp Pendleton, California (2013); Noncommissioned Officer Development 2014 (Taiwan); MEFEX 1 MEF (2015); MEFEX, 11 MEF (2015); WINGEX (2015); Navy Large Scale Exercise, Camp Lejeune, NC (2017); and Trident Juncture, NATO Exercise, Norway (2018).
Sergeant Major Thresher has been awarded the Legion of Merit, four times of the Meritorious Service Medal, four times of the Navy and Marine Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.Joel TylerMaj. Gen., U.S. Army | Headquarters Chief of Staff ~ Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler assumed duties as the Chief of Staff to the commander for U.S. Africa Command on June 21, 2021. Tyler is responsible for exercising day-to-day supervision of the staff, management of matters involving the daily operations of the command, and providing counsel and advice to the commander, deputies and the command senior enlisted leader on all matters affecting the command.
Tyler is a graduate from the University of Arkansas Army ROTC in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he commissioned as an armor officer in 1988. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Master of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and Master of Arts degrees from the College of Naval Warfare in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Tyler's key command assignments include commanding general of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and commanding general, U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command, Army Capabilities Integration Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Bliss, Texas. Tyler served as the deputy commanding general of 1st Armored Division from September 2016 to April 2017, and J-3 for Combined/Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve from September 2015 to August 2016.
Tyler's key staff assignments include service in the Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Korea and around the continental U.S. in both U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command assignments.
Major deployment history includes Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990-1991; Operation Iraqi Freedom I, 2003; Operation Iraqi Freedom V-VI, 2008-2009; and Operation Spartan Shield.
Tyler’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge.Andrew YoungAmbassador, U.S. Department of State | Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement ~ Ambassador Andrew Young assumed duties as the Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, United States Africa Command, in July 2020. He has spent nearly 30 years in diplomatic service on four continents, including as U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso (2016-2020), where he focused on reinforcing a fragile democracy, supporting a national military force confronting a growing terrorist threat, and promoting equitable long-term development.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Young was Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Bamako, Mali (2013-2016), where his team helped secure a 2015 Peace Accord, confronted multiple terrorist attacks, and countered Ebola outbreaks. For his accomplishments in Mali, Andrew Young received the James A. Baker Award for Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission.
Born and raised in California, Ambassador Young joined the U.S. Department of State as a Political Officer in 1991 and has worked in a variety of assignments across multiple geographic bureaus. He first served in Africa in 1987 as a State Department Intern in the Central African Republic and later earned a Masters’ Degree in African Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of California Berkeley (ΦΒΚ) in 1985.
Previously, Ambassador Young was U.S. Embassy Spokesperson in Seoul, Korea; Political Counselor in Paris, France; and Deputy Principal Officer in Auckland, New Zealand. Earlier assignments were to Myanmar, India, and Hong Kong. In Washington, Ambassador Young served as Foreign Policy Advisor in the Senate, Senior Watch Officer in the Department's Operations Center, and as Desk Officer for Italy, India and Bhutan respectively. In 2015, he received the American Foreign Service Association's Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy for his work in Myanmar, on Capitol Hill, and in Mali.
Prior to joining the State Department, Ambassador Young was a Presidential Management Fellow at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he advanced U.S. business interests throughout Francophone Africa. He speaks French, Italian, and some Korean. Married to a fellow Foreign Service Officer (retired), he has a son working for the U.S. Navy and a daughter in international public health.Stephen J. TownsendGen., U.S. Army | Commander ~ General Stephen J. Townsend, U.S. Army, became the 5th commander of United States Africa Command in July 2019. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, U.S. AFRICOM is one of six joint service geographic combatant commands and is responsible for all U.S. military operations and activities to protect and advance U.S. national interests in Africa.
General Townsend’s previous assignment was commanding U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command where he oversaw all recruitment, training and education for America’s Army.
From Griffin, Georgia, General Townsend was commissioned as an Army infantry officer upon graduation from North Georgia College in 1982. He has led and commanded troops at every echelon from rifle platoon to infantry division and Army corps as well as two combined/joint task forces.
General Townsend's operational experience includes Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada; Operation Just Cause, Panama; Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. In 2016-17, he led the multi-national effort to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve.
His career includes service with four Army divisions, the 82d Airborne, 7th Light Infantry, 101st Air Assault and the 10th Mountain; the 75th Ranger Regiment; the separate 3d Stryker Brigade, 2d Infantry Division; as well as command of the XVIIIth Airborne Corps. His past joint duty assignments include U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, the Joint Staff, Regional Command-East in Afghanistan and Combined/Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.
General Townsend holds two master’s degrees and military qualifications and awards appropriate to his service as a career infantry officer.
General Townsend is married to Melissa, also from Georgia. They have two married sons, one an Army Captain, the other an Army veteran and university student. The Townsends happily spoil two grand-children and two large and unruly dogs.Regional security, stability and prosperityVision_daa58a52-b9e4-4bbd-a980-14114dbd6061U.S. Africa Command, with partners, counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.Mission_daa58a52-b9e4-4bbd-a980-14114dbd6061StabilitySecurityProsperityExercisesExercisesGoal_80f199ab-fe12-4d83-ae2e-6348ee697a221U.S. Africa Command and its component and subordinate forces conduct training with their partner nation counterparts, representing U.S. core values during the command’s joint and combined exercises. The exercises conducted enhance partner nation capabilities, promote regional security and interoperability, and reinforce a professional military ethos among African military partners.
For example, Flintlock is an annual exercise to foster regional cooperation to enable our African partners to stabilize North and West Africa.
Africa Endeavor is designed to enhance collaboration between African, U.S. and other stakeholders on communications interoperability, doctrinal guidance, and capacity-building activities.
Cutlass Express is one of three express-series exercises, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, focused on maritime domain awareness and law enforcement while promoting national and regional maritime security.MozambiqueAlgeriaSeychellesItalyGermanyNigeriaPolandMoroccoGuineaTunisiaExercise Phoenix Express 2021, the 16th iteration of the North African maritime exercise, took place May 17-28, 2021, in Tunisia and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The at-sea portion of the exercise tested North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces’ abilities to respond to irregular migration and combat illicit trafficking and the movement of illegal goods and materials.MoroccoNigerGuineaMauritaniaNigerGuinea-BissauDjiboutiCote d’IvoireRepublic of CongoBrazilJapanBeninG5 Sahel ForceGambiaTogoCote d’IvoireTunisiaItalyNATOUnited KingdomCzech RepublicSenegalUnited StatesNorwayComorosFranceU.S. Army AfricaThe 10-day training exercise, which helps build partnerships with U.S. Army Africa and the East African military forces, is designed to help USARAF and East African participants improve their capability to respond to regional security threats posed by violent extremist organizations and to more effectively counter the associated ideology. Starting in 2017, Justified Accord alternates annually as a field-training exercise and a table-top exercise.SudanRwandaBurkina Faso GermanyGreeceTunisiaAngola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, CameroonMoroccoCameroonGeorgiaLiberiaSomaliaSpainKenyaNetherlandsDemocratic Republic of CongoLibyaBelgiumMaltaUnited KingdomIndiaItalySpainMauritaniaThe 2020 iteration of Flintlock was hosted by Mauritania with one outstation in Senegal, reflecting a positive and broader commitment by African partners to help solve African problems. The exercise was designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people.
Exercise participants conducted small-unit tactics exercises to include live-fire ranges, mounted and dismounted movements, reconnaissance, close-quarters battle drills, border patrol operations, post-blast investigations, community key leader engagement, investigative interviews, intelligence sharing, and hostage rescue.
At the operational level, a multinational staff headquartered in Atar, Mauritania, tested and strengthened their ability to collectively address regional security challenges through a comprehensive scenario involving command and control of exercise participants working at the various outstations.GhanaEthiopiaThe 2019 iteration of the Justified Accord took place in Ethiopia, with training to enhance participants' capability for peacekeeping operations and provide an opportunity to employ the African Union Mission in Somalia procedures during times of instability and crisis.MaliUnited NationsEquatorial GuineaMoroccoEconomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)ChadDenmarkAustriaPortugalGabonMauritaniaNigeriaNamibiaMadagascarFranceSenegalAfrica UnionCanadaSenegalCanadaGhanaCabo VerdeUnited StatesSao Tome & PrincipeNetherlandsEconomic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)DjiboutiTanzaniaU.S. Naval Forces AfricaExercise Cutlass Express 2021, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, will take place June 26 to August 6, 2021, in the vicinity of Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, and Seychelles. CE21 is designed to improve regional cooperation in support of the Djibouti Code of Conduct, maritime domain awareness, information sharing between maritime operation centers, maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of law, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities in order to disrupt illicit maritime activity and strengthen safety and security in East Africa.
The exercise begins with an in-port training period followed by at-sea scenarios and concludes with a senior leadership symposium. The underway portion of the exercise tests the ship’s abilities to conduct maritime interdiction operations by boarding teams against simulated suspect vessels, detecting illicit activity, and follow-on evidence collection procedures.
The 13 participating nations include Comoros, Djibouti, Georgia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United States.MauritiusSenegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United StatesEgyptPortugalSeychellesEast African Military ForcesObangame Express ParticipantsThe 32 nations scheduled to participate in OE21 include Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United States. Also participating will be the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). (End)”North African NationsPhoenix Express ParticipantsIn 2021, 11 nations including Algeria, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and the U.S. worked together throughout the exercise to increase regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and operational capabilities, enhancing efforts to promote safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea and territorial waters of participating North African nations.African PartnersAfrican Lion 21, conducted by U.S. Africa Command with allies and African partners in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal and the surrounding seas from June 7-18, was executed to strengthen U.S. and partner nations capability to promote regional stability and support interoperability.International PartnersInternational partners include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Maritime ForcesThe previous iteration of the exercise, Cutlass Express 19.2, was the second iteration in 2019 taking place in the Western Indian Ocean. Maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe, North America, and several international organizations conducted Cutlass Express 19.2 in the vicinity of Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, for nearly 3 weeks in October and November. CE 19.2 combined with U.S. Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise - with nearly 60 nations participating - to eliminate regional seams, increase U.S. and partner-nation interoperability, and respond as a global maneuver force unbound by geographic boundaries.African GovernmentsExercises like Flintlock help strengthen the defense capabilities of African governments and regional organizations to address security threats more effectively – ultimately opening economic investment and trade opportunities and reducing threats to citizens and interests of allies and the United States abroad and at home.
Participating African nations included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.unnamed stakeholderMichael Baze“Obangame Express allows us to develop skills, with our regional partners, that will have a lasting impact on regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean,” said Rear Adm. Michael Baze, Director of Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces Africa. “Our past exercises led to tangible, real-world success stories and OE21 is a chance for us to build upon those successes.”unnamed stakeholderAfrican LionCounter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability with international partnersObjective_9c17d61a-5e06-4bd7-91e1-7a8805857a601African Lion is a joint, multi-national exercise in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal linked to U.S. European Command’s DEFENDER series exercise to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability with international partners.
African Lion 20 was scheduled to be conducted from March 23 to April 3, 2020, in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Spain, but was canceled March 16, 2020, due to COVID-19. More info here.
African Lion is led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa as a joint, all-domain, multi-national exercise in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Ghana linked to the U.S. European Command’s DEFENDER series exercise to counter malign activity in North Africa and Southern Europe and increase interoperability between U.S., African, and international partners to defend the theater from adversary military aggression.SenegalTunisiaMoroccoAfrican PartnersAfrican Lion 21, conducted by U.S. Africa Command with allies and African partners in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal and the surrounding seas from June 7-18, was executed to strengthen U.S. and partner nations capability to promote regional stability and support interoperability.Cutlass ExpressCounter malign influence, aggression, and activity along overlapping command seams and maritime regionsObjective_0f4708cd-9e5d-4561-8921-4e85a6fe0e812Cutlass Express is a U.S. Naval Forces Africa led, all-domain exercise in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean. The exercise is linked to U.S. Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise to counter malign influence, aggression, and activity along overlapping command seams and maritime regions.SudanSomaliaMadagascarKenyaDjiboutiU.S. Naval Forces AfricaExercise Cutlass Express 2021, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, will take place June 26 to August 6, 2021, in the vicinity of Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, and Seychelles. CE21 is designed to improve regional cooperation in support of the Djibouti Code of Conduct, maritime domain awareness, information sharing between maritime operation centers, maritime interdiction, adherence to the rule of law, and counter-proliferation interdiction capabilities in order to disrupt illicit maritime activity and strengthen safety and security in East Africa.
The exercise begins with an in-port training period followed by at-sea scenarios and concludes with a senior leadership symposium. The underway portion of the exercise tests the ship’s abilities to conduct maritime interdiction operations by boarding teams against simulated suspect vessels, detecting illicit activity, and follow-on evidence collection procedures.
The 13 participating nations include Comoros, Djibouti, Georgia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, United Kingdom, and the United States.DjiboutiUnited KingdomTanzaniaComorosSeychellesIndiaSeychellesGeorgiaRwandaUnited StatesMauritiusMozambiqueMaritime ForcesThe previous iteration of the exercise, Cutlass Express 19.2, was the second iteration in 2019 taking place in the Western Indian Ocean. Maritime forces from East Africa, West Indian Ocean nations, Europe, North America, and several international organizations conducted Cutlass Express 19.2 in the vicinity of Djibouti, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, for nearly 3 weeks in October and November. CE 19.2 combined with U.S. Central Command’s International Maritime Exercise - with nearly 60 nations participating - to eliminate regional seams, increase U.S. and partner-nation interoperability, and respond as a global maneuver force unbound by geographic boundaries.FlintlockCounter malign influence, aggression, and activityObjective_3649fee3-f018-485a-a568-e55a6d6273923Flintlock is a Special Operations Command Africa led all-domain exercise focused on the G5 Sahel Force and their interoperability with U.S. and NATO special operations forces to counter malign influence, aggression, and activity. | Approximately 1,600 service members from more than 30 African and partner nations participated in Flintlock 2020 at multiple locations in Mauritania and Senegal from Feb. 17-28, 2020. Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command’s premier and largest annual Special Operations Forces exercise.NigeriaCameroonJapanChadGuineaSpainItalyBurkina Faso United StatesPortugalBelgiumSenegalTogoNATOAustriaCabo VerdeGermanyCzech RepublicNorwayPolandMoroccoBrazilCanadaMauritaniaNigerCote d’IvoireUnited KingdomNetherlandsMaliG5 Sahel ForceSenegalMauritaniaThe 2020 iteration of Flintlock was hosted by Mauritania with one outstation in Senegal, reflecting a positive and broader commitment by African partners to help solve African problems. The exercise was designed to strengthen the ability of key partner nations in the region to counter violent extremist organizations, protect their borders, and provide security for their people.
Exercise participants conducted small-unit tactics exercises to include live-fire ranges, mounted and dismounted movements, reconnaissance, close-quarters battle drills, border patrol operations, post-blast investigations, community key leader engagement, investigative interviews, intelligence sharing, and hostage rescue.
At the operational level, a multinational staff headquartered in Atar, Mauritania, tested and strengthened their ability to collectively address regional security challenges through a comprehensive scenario involving command and control of exercise participants working at the various outstations.FranceGhanaBeninAfrican GovernmentsExercises like Flintlock help strengthen the defense capabilities of African governments and regional organizations to address security threats more effectively – ultimately opening economic investment and trade opportunities and reducing threats to citizens and interests of allies and the United States abroad and at home.
Participating African nations included Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.International PartnersInternational partners include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Justified AccordEnable future operations, maintain strategic access, and build partner capacity to disrupt malign influence, aggression, and activityObjective_908fcfc2-7ecb-4363-b203-29d7420fa8f54U.S. Army Africa (also known as Southern European Task Force) leads this joint, all-domain exercise in East Africa to enable future operations, maintain strategic access, and build partner capacity to disrupt malign influence, aggression, and activity.
Justified Accord is a military exercise focusing on African partner capability and interoperability in support of United Nations/Africa Union peacekeeping operations. The exercise seeks to assess participant abilities in conducting PKO and to enhance positive bilateral and regional relationships in austere environments with coalition partners.United NationsAfrica UnionU.S. Army AfricaThe 10-day training exercise, which helps build partnerships with U.S. Army Africa and the East African military forces, is designed to help USARAF and East African participants improve their capability to respond to regional security threats posed by violent extremist organizations and to more effectively counter the associated ideology. Starting in 2017, Justified Accord alternates annually as a field-training exercise and a table-top exercise.EthiopiaThe 2019 iteration of the Justified Accord took place in Ethiopia, with training to enhance participants' capability for peacekeeping operations and provide an opportunity to employ the African Union Mission in Somalia procedures during times of instability and crisis.East African Military ForcesObangame ExpressEnhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter sea-based [threats]Objective_b2793539-18cc-42ca-bd58-33e9064d34bb5Exercise Obangame Express 2021 took place March 14-27 in the Gulf of Guinea and Atlantic Ocean.
Obangame Express 2021, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is designed to improve regional cooperation in support of the Yaounde Code of Conduct, Maritime Domain Awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter sea-based ...
The last iteration of Obangame Express, which took place in 2019, sought to assess and improve Gulf of Guinea law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security, inform African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership planning and operations, and shape security force assistance efforts. Obangame Express 2020 was canceled to reduce the spread of COVID-19.Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, CameroonEconomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)NigerItalyGabonDemocratic Republic of CongoGermanyFranceRepublic of CongoSenegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United StatesNamibiaMoroccoGuinea-BissauLiberiaGambiaCote d’IvoireEquatorial GuineaEconomic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)GhanaDenmarkNetherlandsSao Tome & PrincipePortugalNigeriaGuineaCanadaObangame Express ParticipantsThe 32 nations scheduled to participate in OE21 include Angola, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and the United States. Also participating will be the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). (End)”Michael Baze“Obangame Express allows us to develop skills, with our regional partners, that will have a lasting impact on regional security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean,” said Rear Adm. Michael Baze, Director of Maritime Headquarters, U.S. Naval Forces Africa. “Our past exercises led to tangible, real-world success stories and OE21 is a chance for us to build upon those successes.”Phoenix ExpressImprove U.S. capabilities and interoperability with European and North African partners, increase partner self-sufficiency in the maritime domain, and assess and enhance the maritime security cooperation of U.S., European, and African regional partnersObjective_3e01480f-690c-465e-93a1-f55b8bb30eed6Phoenix Express is an annual all-domain exercise to improve U.S. capabilities and interoperability with European and North African partners, increase partner self-sufficiency in the maritime domain, and assess and enhance the maritime security cooperation of U.S., European, and African regional partners.ItalyTunisiaExercise Phoenix Express 2021, the 16th iteration of the North African maritime exercise, took place May 17-28, 2021, in Tunisia and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The at-sea portion of the exercise tested North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces’ abilities to respond to irregular migration and combat illicit trafficking and the movement of illegal goods and materials.GreeceEgyptAlgeriaMaltaMoroccoMauritaniaTunisiaSpainLibyaPhoenix Express ParticipantsIn 2021, 11 nations including Algeria, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and the U.S. worked together throughout the exercise to increase regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and operational capabilities, enhancing efforts to promote safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea and territorial waters of participating North African nations.North African Nationsunnamed stakeholderSecurity CooperationImprove the capabilities of defense institutionsGoal_dced0a19-159e-4e00-a972-67f67bdabf672Security Cooperation Programs ~ The command offers a suite of institutional capacity-building programs designed to improve the capabilities of defense institutions in the areas of accountability, rule of law and professional military education, while providing a framework within which the command engages with regional partners in cooperative military activities and development.
Security Cooperation programs include International Military and Education Training, which exposes foreign students to U.S. professional military organizations and procedures and the manner in which military organizations function under civilian control, and Africa Partnership Station, which builds maritime safety and security by increasing maritime awareness, response capabilities and infrastructure.
Conditions for success of our security cooperation programs and activities in Africa are established through hundreds of engagements supporting a wide range of activities, including humanitarian assistance.Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) ProgramHumanitarian Mine Action ~ The Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program relieves human suffering and the adverse effects of land mines and other explosive remnants of war on non-combatants - including ammunition stockpiles - while advancing theater campaign plan strategies and U.S. national security objectives.USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP)Humanitarian Assistance – Disaster Preparedness Program ~ The Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP) increases the capacity of African nations to mitigate and prepare for an all-hazard disaster response within the ministry designated to respond. The program supports civilian-military interface and enhancing collaboration and the military’s ability to perform their civil support functions. It also improves the capacity for regional interaction and stability in the event of a complex emergency such as a pandemic event.Africa Partnership StationAfrica Partnership Station (APS) is U.S. Naval Forces Africa’s (NAVAF) flagship maritime security cooperation program.
Through APS, U.S. Africa Command and NAVAF conduct engagement activities with international partners and governmental/non-governmental organizations to enhance African partner nations’ self-sustaining capability to effectively maintain maritime security within their inland waterways, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones.Foreign GovernmentsThe Department of Defense supports foreign governments in detection, clearance, physical security, and stockpile management of landmines and other explosive remnants of war by executing cadre development programs designed to develop capabilities for a wide range of HMA activities including education, training, and technical assistance.Humanitarian Assistance - Other (HA-O) ProgramHumanitarian Assistance – Other ~ U.S. Africa Command’s Humanitarian Assistance - Other (HA-O) program includes activities designed to relieve or reduce endemic conditions such as human suffering, disease, hunger, and privation, particularly in regions where humanitarian needs may pose major challenges to stability, prosperity, and respect for universal human values.U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentSince 2008 U.S. Africa Command has worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development to establish a Pandemic Response Program (PRP) aimed at assisting African militaries to develop influenza pandemic response plans that are integrated into their country’s overall national response plans.Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP)DHAPP provides military-to-military program support by assisting in the development and implementation of culturally focused, military-specific HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs. AFRICOM provides oversight and strategic guidance so that DHAPP can develop and implement a culturally focused, military-specific HIV prevention, care, and treatment program. At over $100 million annually and operating in 38 countries, DHAPP is AFRICOM’s largest program on the Continent.unnamed organisationPandemic Response ProgramPRP strives to improve the capacity for regional stability in the event of a complex emergency by providing training and technical assistance and identifies - and at times purchases - limited equipment needed for selected countries.unnamed organisationDepartment of StateThese capacity-building activities complement Department of State programs and are planned with the U.S. embassy country teams and partner nations. We focus on the development of professional militaries which are disciplined, capable, and responsible to civilian authorities and committed to the well-being of their citizens and protecting human rights. Our efforts focus on increasing the capability and capacity of African partner nations to serve as trained, equipped agents of stability and security in Africa.African MilitariesAfrica’s high rates of HIV/AIDS negatively impact African militaries and other uniformed organizations by reducing readiness, limiting peacekeeping deployments, and increasing risk to military and civilian personnel.Defense InstitutionsAfrican MilitariesMilitaries can play key roles in the event of a pandemic, working in collaboration with other governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations to maintain security, provide logistical support for food, medicine, and other commodities, maintain communications, and provide augmented medical care.African NationsNational & Regional EntitiesWorking with national and regional entities in a comprehensive, holistic manner, the program builds capacity and capability over time.Foreign Countriesunnamed stakeholderMilitary Education & TrainingProvide funds for international personnel to attend U.S. military professional training programsObjective_62d6072e-a7ce-4cc5-8290-21715a9ba5891The International Military Education and Training program provides funds for international personnel to attend U.S. military professional training programs. The overall objective of the International Military and Education Training (IMET) program is threefold: to further the goal of regional stability through effective, mutually beneficial military-to-military relations; to provide training that augments the capabilities of participant nations’ military forces, and to increase the ability of foreign military and civilian personnel to instill and maintain democratic values.
The IMET program exposes foreign students to U.S. professional military organizations and procedures and the manner in which military organizations function under civilian control. The program introduces students to elements of U.S. democracy such as the U.S. judicial system, legislative oversight, free speech, equality issues, and U.S. commitment to human rights. IMET’s mandatory English-language proficiency requirement establishes a baseline of communication skills for students to attend courses. IMET training graduates fill key leadership positions in the military of many African nations. The IMET program specifically targets current and future military and civilian leadership in African nations.unnamed stakeholderMaritime Safety & SecurityBuild maritime safety and securityObjective_0022459d-9c77-4c0e-9209-244c43bb1f7b2Africa Partnership Station ~ The focus of APS is to build maritime safety and security by increasing maritime awareness, response capabilities and infrastructure...
As a maritime security cooperation program, APS seeks to improve capabilities with partner naval forces using four “pillars” to increase maritime safety and security through a regional and comprehensive approach:
* Develop maritime domain awareness to maintain a clear picture of the maritime environment * Build maritime professionals * Establish maritime infrastructure * Develop response capabilities while building regional integrationAfrica Partnership StationAfrica Partnership Station (APS) is U.S. Naval Forces Africa’s (NAVAF) flagship maritime security cooperation program.
Through APS, U.S. Africa Command and NAVAF conduct engagement activities with international partners and governmental/non-governmental organizations to enhance African partner nations’ self-sustaining capability to effectively maintain maritime security within their inland waterways, territorial waters, and exclusive economic zones.Humanitarian AssistanceProvide essential services while addressing a humanitarian need and promoting regional stability and securityObjective_e662a384-f5b1-47a3-85d7-079a309043173Foreign Humanitarian Assistance ~ Foreign Humanitarian Assistance programs represent a series of security cooperation activities that support partner nations' provision of essential services while addressing a humanitarian need and promoting regional stability and security. U.S. Africa Command’s focus is to enhance African disaster and crisis response capabilities; strengthen host-nation institutions, and counter violent extremists’ messages by improving the civilian population’s living conditions while enabling African solutions for African challenges. Foreign Humanitarian Assistance programs reflect a commitment to interagency coordination and cooperation and strive to promote civilian control of the military.
During COVID-19, U.S. Africa Command utilized Humanitarian Assistance programs to support partners also battling the pandemic.unnamed organisationForeign Disaster ReliefSupport USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) specific requestsObjective_427f9152-cbde-4153-862a-48acfcbe03fc4Foreign Disaster Relief ~ Foreign Disaster Relief activities are unique Department of Defense capabilities (normally airlift or logistics) supporting USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) specific requests as approved by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. AFRICOM has responded to two disasters in the last decade (Ebola in West Africa in 2014, and Tropical Storm Idia in Mozambique in 2018), while BHA responds to dozens annually. The international community and BHA are normally able to respond to most disasters without DoD support. It is only the sudden onset catastrophic disasters overwhelming international community that require DoD support.USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)Humanitarian & Civic AssistanceServe the basic economic and social needs of the partner nation and promote the security and foreign policy interests of the U.S.Objective_f1467719-9995-42e3-b594-ed9c022eb05d5Humanitarian and Civic Assistance ~ Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) activities are conducted in conjunction with authorized operations and exercises of the military services in a foreign country, with the approval of the partner nation national and local civilian authorities, and complement - not duplicate - other forms of humanitarian assistance provided to the partner nation by the Department of State and USAID. Funded by AFRICOM, these activities also serve the basic economic and social needs of the partner nation and promote the security and foreign policy interests of the U.S., the security interests of the country in which the activities are to be performed, and the specific operational readiness skills of the service members who participate in the HCA activities.unnamed organisationDisaster PreparednessIncrease the capacity of African nations to mitigate and prepare for an all-hazard disaster responseObjective_d6b94b83-1ebe-4688-a5a3-30b7a13e49006Funded by the Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation (OHDACA), the DPP may provide training, planning support, technical assistance, exercise validation, and equipment purchases.Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP)Humanitarian Assistance – Disaster Preparedness Program ~ The Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP) increases the capacity of African nations to mitigate and prepare for an all-hazard disaster response within the ministry designated to respond. The program supports civilian-military interface and enhancing collaboration and the military’s ability to perform their civil support functions. It also improves the capacity for regional interaction and stability in the event of a complex emergency such as a pandemic event.National & Regional EntitiesWorking with national and regional entities in a comprehensive, holistic manner, the program builds capacity and capability over time.African NationsLand MinesRelieve human suffering and the adverse effects of land mines and other explosive remnants of war on non-combatantsObjective_7d1dfcf1-6377-42a3-9fd0-8c3f5b38fb737Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) ProgramHumanitarian Mine Action ~ The Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program relieves human suffering and the adverse effects of land mines and other explosive remnants of war on non-combatants - including ammunition stockpiles - while advancing theater campaign plan strategies and U.S. national security objectives.Foreign GovernmentsThe Department of Defense supports foreign governments in detection, clearance, physical security, and stockpile management of landmines and other explosive remnants of war by executing cadre development programs designed to develop capabilities for a wide range of HMA activities including education, training, and technical assistance.Endemic ConditionsRelieve or reduce endemic conditionsObjective_c1724672-5451-43a9-9d01-232d898f7d448These program activities are funded by the Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid appropriation (OHDACA), and address basic healthcare, education, and infrastructure needs. Common projects include the construction of health clinics, schools, and provision of humanitarian supplies, and are intended to reduce the risk of, prepare for, mitigate the consequences of, or respond to humanitarian disasters.Humanitarian Assistance - Other (HA-O) ProgramHumanitarian Assistance – Other ~ U.S. Africa Command’s Humanitarian Assistance - Other (HA-O) program includes activities designed to relieve or reduce endemic conditions such as human suffering, disease, hunger, and privation, particularly in regions where humanitarian needs may pose major challenges to stability, prosperity, and respect for universal human values.Pandemic ResponseAssist African militaries to develop influenza pandemic response plansObjective_5cbaeb6f-46f7-4300-9101-507f1b23549a9Pandemic Response ProgramPRP strives to improve the capacity for regional stability in the event of a complex emergency by providing training and technical assistance and identifies - and at times purchases - limited equipment needed for selected countries.U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentSince 2008 U.S. Africa Command has worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development to establish a Pandemic Response Program (PRP) aimed at assisting African militaries to develop influenza pandemic response plans that are integrated into their country’s overall national response plans.African MilitariesMilitaries can play key roles in the event of a pandemic, working in collaboration with other governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations to maintain security, provide logistical support for food, medicine, and other commodities, maintain communications, and provide augmented medical care.HIV/AIDSSupport healthy and functional military forces to provide stability and safety to national and regional populationsObjective_313e5add-b348-447f-9f18-f741dc321b4510The Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program is the DoD initiative in support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that aims to support healthy and functional military forces to provide stability and safety to national and regional populations...
Current strategies and interventions employed by DHAPP include: Index case HIV testing (testing spouses, sexual partners, and all children of women who test HIV-positive); Documentation of every new HIV-positive individual and linking him or her into care and treatment; Periodically updating military HIV policies to address HIV testing strategies, chain of command notifications, deployments, stigma and discrimination, and antiretroviral treatment initiation and retention to reflect changes in international normative guidance; Antiretroviral treatment services thru mobile units; Condom and lubricant (where feasible) promotion, skills building, and facilitated access to condoms; Promotion of voluntary medical male circumcision services which can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV infection in HIV-negative men by 60%; and stigma and discrimination prevention training.Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP)DHAPP provides military-to-military program support by assisting in the development and implementation of culturally focused, military-specific HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs. AFRICOM provides oversight and strategic guidance so that DHAPP can develop and implement a culturally focused, military-specific HIV prevention, care, and treatment program. At over $100 million annually and operating in 38 countries, DHAPP is AFRICOM’s largest program on the Continent.African MilitariesAfrica’s high rates of HIV/AIDS negatively impact African militaries and other uniformed organizations by reducing readiness, limiting peacekeeping deployments, and increasing risk to military and civilian personnel.Excess PropertyMake available, prepare, and transport non-lethal excess property for humanitarian relief purposes to foreign countriesObjective_e6254571-6e48-4692-bec6-b61161fa510f11Excess Property Program ~ The Excess Property Program permits the Department of Defense to make available, prepare, and transport non-lethal excess property for humanitarian relief purposes to foreign countries. The program covers all costs associated with the transportation of the property from the Excess Property warehouse to the final destination. The program does not fund costs associated with customs fees. Requesters must work through the host nation customs office to ensure customs fees are waived.Foreign CountriesAdditional ProgramsEnhance security and stability throughout AfricaGoal_0305d380-f13d-4e10-841a-e6471cd091c53U.S. Africa Command continually engages through a wide range of engagement activities to enhance security and stability throughout Africa. These efforts include implementing Women, Peace and Security initiatives to better leverage the capabilities of both men and women to achieve shared goals, and the Africa Enlisted Development Strategy, which aims to standardize existing African professional military education institutions that can train not only their own nation’s forces but also those of neighboring countries and create or improve regional centers of excellence.MaliSomaliaLibyaKenyaNigerBurkina Fasounnamed generic groupAfrican Nationsunnamed generic groupunnamed generic groupunnamed generic groupWomen from African MilitariesAfrican Military Education InstitutionsAfrican NationsAlthough these activities may be conducted throughout the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, these efforts are focused on audiences residing primarily in the Lake Chad Basin (Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Mali); Horn of Africa (Somalia and Kenya); in the Maghreb (Libya and Tunisia); and in/around the Gulf of Guinea countries (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome, Gabon, and Congo).Professional Military Education (PME) InstitutionsWith the concurrence from African partners, AEDS identifies the most effective institutions and established Centers of Excellence in an effort to regionalize the approach to African Professional Military Education. The strategy is executed by recruiting assistance from supporting mechanisms such as Military Training Teams, the State Partnership Program and other available assets in order to maximize every engagement opportunity. The AEDS targeted end-state is to utilize existing African Professional Military Education institutions that can train not only their organic forces but also those of neighboring countries.Non-Commissioned OfficersAfricaMark RipkaThe history of AEDS begins with Command Sergeant Major Mark Ripka, AFRICOM's first command senior enlisted leader, sharing his thoughts on enlisted development in Africa by saying, "You not only need warrant officers and noncommissioned officers to be the physical people that they are, but you also need them to be very intelligent. They need to be able to operate within the commanders’ guidance and intent as well."CommunicationSupport Department of Defense communication effortsObjective_24d361fd-bf45-4e17-b84f-86e80a592d111U.S. Africa Command, in coordination with national, international, and regional partners, conducts Military Information Support Operations (MISO) to support Department of Defense communication efforts specifically intended to improve regional stability and security cooperation; counter violent extremist organizations (C-VEO); counter illicit activities; and counter malign adversarial influence within the U.S. Africa Command geographic area of responsibility.
Through 2023, U.S. Africa Command and its subordinate commands will continue to conduct MISO activities primarily through, but not limited to, current and emergent communication technologies such as print media, radio, text messages, face-to-face, television, social media, and websites.unnamed generic groupIslamic StateDelegitimize the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and their branchesObjective_d663fb0f-cfc5-46b8-8f5e-e04e763515fd2C-VEO MISO activities are primarily aimed at delegitimizing the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and their branches operating in Africa, al-Qaida and their adherents and affiliates operating in Africa such as Al-Shabaab, as well as, other U.S. designated foreign terrorist organizations including, but not limited to, Boko Haram.African NationsAlthough these activities may be conducted throughout the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility, these efforts are focused on audiences residing primarily in the Lake Chad Basin (Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Mali); Horn of Africa (Somalia and Kenya); in the Maghreb (Libya and Tunisia); and in/around the Gulf of Guinea countries (Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome, Gabon, and Congo).Additional ActivitiesSupport activities such as maritime operations, noncombatant evacuations, humanitarian assistance, personnel recovery, and aiding deployed forces operational efforts in response to instabilityObjective_82fc59ad-0e18-4d79-aba5-931d402cd8153As required, MISO efforts will also support activities such as maritime operations, noncombatant evacuations, humanitarian assistance, personnel recovery, and aiding deployed forces operational efforts in response to instability.unnamed generic groupTrainingSupport joint training eventsObjective_a116ccab-f2f7-4a79-b36f-9bab0e79743d4Additionally, MISO activities support joint training events with our partners throughout the region to more effectively address our shared security concerns and promote the positive impacts of adherence to the rule of law and military professionalism.unnamed generic groupCoordinationCoordinate with U.S. government agencies and partner nationsObjective_ff041d34-c9bd-431c-9836-221d38a1b6365U.S. Africa Command MISO activities are coordinated with U.S. government agencies and partner nations. In accordance with U.S. Code and Department of Defense policy, intentionally directing MISO at U.S. citizens is specifically prohibited and will not be employed on USAFRICOM information dissemination platforms intended for U.S. audiences.unnamed generic groupRewardsOffer and pay rewards for information and/or non-lethal assistance that is beneficial to counterterrorism operations or contributes to the force protection of U.S. and partner forcesObjective_35fe56ce-be15-4c25-a72c-229ce207a1e36U.S. Africa Command is working with partners in, but not limited to, Somalia, Kenya, Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to offer and pay rewards for information and/or non-lethal assistance that is beneficial to counterterrorism operations or contributes to the force protection of U.S. and partner forces.Burkina FasoNigerKenyaLibyaMaliSomaliaWomen, Peace, & SecurityDevelop training opportunities for women from African militariesObjective_e2126df4-2827-4ae4-81a6-838852bd27ce7Women, Peace, & Security ~ Women, Peace and Security initiatives are an integral component of efforts to enhance African partner capability by enabling U.S. security cooperation to better leverage the contributions of both men and women.
The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 was signed into U.S. law in October of that year. However, since 2011 U.S. Africa Command has worked to integrate the Women, Peace, and Security mandate in its activities with African security forces.
Before then annual training courses sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and conducted for African partners had consistently seen all male participants. Consequently, U.S. Africa Command saw the need to develop specific training opportunities just for women from African militaries. Beyond such skilled areas as communications and intelligence, the command has co-hosted workshops and seminars on gender integration, the role of women in peacekeeping operations, and responding to gender-based violence.Women from African MilitariesMilitary EducationStandardize African professional military education institutionsObjective_ebf74dcc-7df8-4d0c-b5eb-b0ee2c2153da8Africa Enlisted Development Strategy ~ The strategy seeks to standardize existing African professional military education institutions that can train not only their own nation’s forces but also those of neighboring countries and create or improve regional centers of excellence.
The Africa Enlisted Development Strategy (AEDS) was created to identify gaps in African enlisted development processes, enlist assistance from external stakeholders and allocate funds allowing partners to build Professional Military Education (PME) institutions to serve as centers of excellence for the development of enlisted forces.
The strategy also focuses on helping African partners build capacity to train other African countries, providing intra-African options for non-commissioned officer (NCO) development.African Military Education InstitutionsProfessional Military Education (PME) InstitutionsWith the concurrence from African partners, AEDS identifies the most effective institutions and established Centers of Excellence in an effort to regionalize the approach to African Professional Military Education. The strategy is executed by recruiting assistance from supporting mechanisms such as Military Training Teams, the State Partnership Program and other available assets in order to maximize every engagement opportunity. The AEDS targeted end-state is to utilize existing African Professional Military Education institutions that can train not only their organic forces but also those of neighboring countries.Non-Commissioned OfficersMark RipkaThe history of AEDS begins with Command Sergeant Major Mark Ripka, AFRICOM's first command senior enlisted leader, sharing his thoughts on enlisted development in Africa by saying, "You not only need warrant officers and noncommissioned officers to be the physical people that they are, but you also need them to be very intelligent. They need to be able to operate within the commanders’ guidance and intent as well."Challenges & OpportunitiesBring together African Nations to discuss shared challenges and opportunitiesObjective_c0cd38f1-0142-4269-8856-37b0be3df3a79The first Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference (ASELC) was conducted in November 2017, bringing together more than 20 African Nations to discuss shared challenges and opportunities. Since then, the ASELC has brought together key enlisted leaders annually to overcome challenges of African enlisted development and formulate a phased approach to regionalize development efforts. This approach concentrates on no more than four tranche countries per calendar year, making them the main effort for U.S. Professional Military Education instructors conducting engagements to support both junior- and senior-NCO development and furthering efforts to reach more troops in Africa.African NationsStrategyPlan_daa58a52-b9e4-4bbd-a980-14114dbd60612007-10-012021-11-10Submitter_daa58a52-b9e4-4bbd-a980-14114dbd6061OwenAmbur