Gallery contains 9 images
×
Photo 1 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
U.S. Marine Cpl. Daniel Diaz, U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) course instructor, shows intelligence specialists from the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), how to properly setup a portable communication terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 18, 2015. Members of the ENDF and Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) participated in a multi-week ADSN course, which was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications and intelligence personnel, and was designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 2 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) assemble the dish of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug 18, 2015. The ADSN terminal is an enclosed network, meaning it never connects to the internet, and is used by African Mission in Somali forces for field communications. Its setup and use was part of a multi-week ADSN course designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces, and was hosted by communications and intelligence personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 3 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) level the body of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug 18, 2015. ENDF personnel were tested on how quickly they could setup and tear down the field communication system as part of a multi-week ADSN course designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces, which was hosted by communications and intelligence personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 4 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Ethiopian Defense Force (ENDF) personnel connect cables at the base of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 18, 2015. African Mission in Somali personnel utilize portable communication terminals for sharing secured information and members of the ENDF and Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) participated in a multi-week ADSN course to share best practices in communications and intelligence operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 5 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) inspect connection cables during setup of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 18, 2015. ENDF personnel were tested on how quickly they could setup and tear down the field communication system as part of a multi-week ADSN course, which was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications and intelligence personnel, and was designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 6 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
A member of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) checks a cable connector during the setup of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 18, 2015. ENDF personnel were tested on how quickly they could setup and tear down the field communication system as part of a multi-week ADSN course, which was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications and intelligence personnel, and was designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 7 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) assemble the dish of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug 31, 2015. The ADSN terminal is an enclosed network, meaning it never connects to the internet, and is used by African Mission in Somali forces for field communications. Its setup and use was part of a multi-week ADSN course designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces, and was hosted by communications and intelligence personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 8 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) assemble the feed horn of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 31, 2015. The feed horn is used to transmit a signal by using the dish to focus the signal into a narrow stream and to receive transmissions reflected by the dish. The setup and tear down of the ADSN field communication system was part of a multi-week course, which was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications and intelligence personnel, and was designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Photo 9 of 9
Ethiopian, Djiboutian militaries broaden communication, intelligence system skills at CJTF-HOA
A member of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) connects a cable connector during the setup of a U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN) terminal at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 31, 2015. FAD personnel were tested on how quickly they could setup and tear down the field communication system as part of a multi-week ADSN course, which was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications and intelligence personnel, and was designed to broaden communication interoperability between host nation security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet/released)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet
Having a quick and effective means of communicating complex tasks is a critical component to any military force of sufficient size and complexity.
What began with runners conveying messages by foot to commanders in the field, and signalers waving flags to coordinate troop movements is now performed with sophisticated telecommunication systems and computers.
Aiding the military forces serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to effectively communicate is the U.S. Africa Command Data Sharing Network (ADSN). Recently, intelligence and communications personnel from the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) visited Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa to work alongside U.S. intelligence and communication specialists here.
“I have learned so many things about the ADSN system since coming here,” said ENDF Lt. Araya Abrha. “How to install it, how to set it up and how to operate it. When I go to my country I will take what I learned here and use that knowledge to help AMISOM forces. This technology will support us in cooperating jointly in lots of different situations within the Horn of Africa, and to share vital information.”
The goal of the course was to better develop the communication interoperability between host nation security forces, the U.S. and other international partners to ultimately better combat violent extremist organizations, such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
“The ADSN is essentially enabling our African partner countries in East Africa to have and use a mobile unit that allows them to send classified and encrypted information back and forth,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Cox, ADSN course instructor. “It enables us to share information they need to conduct operations in Somalia.”
The training was split into two core portions: communications, which covered the technical aspects of setup and troubleshooting the system; and intelligence, which focused on using a fully functioning system to extract intelligence and communicate with partner AMISOM members.
“We have a shortage of this kind of technology so we are normally working without much experience, but being here to learn more about this technology helps us to grow our experience,” said ENDF Capt. Daniel Woldu. “It’s very interesting for us because it helps us with intelligence gathering, which helps us support our commanders in the field.”
The course is about sharing best practices, explained Cox. By showing the ENDF and FAD personnel how to utilize the ADSN system more effectively they will be able to build their own best practices on how best to use it for themselves.
“We want to enable all of our East African partners to be proficient with the system,” said Cox. “It allows us to have a classified and encrypted network to send information back and forth on. They can submit information requests to us and we can provide the best information possible when they conduct mission against Al-Shaabab.”
Having successfully completed the course, communication abilities across the ENDF and FAD area of operations will increase and improve, which will aid in their fight against terrorism.
“This training has helped us to understand the equipment and share communications with our partners,” said FAD 1st Lt. Abdoulaziz Ahmed. “Our enemy is one and the same and we must share feedback and information. This system helps us communicate and operate together.”
