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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate and members of the Djibouti Armed Forces pose for a photo after completing a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 17, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)
Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. Taylor Noble, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, shows members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) how to acquire a satellite signal through using an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 8, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
A Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) member reviews a sheet of input commands during a military-to-military exchange course with U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 9, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) members watch as another FAD member checks the cable connections on an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course with U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 9, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Jousselin, right, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, explains how to arrange the wires in a cable to a Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) member during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 10, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. Taylor Noble, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, watches as service members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) set up an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 8, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
A Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) member reviews a guide to set up the wires for a cable during a military-to-military exchange course with U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 10, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
Photo 8 of 11
CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. William Reed, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, inspects the cable connector created by a Djibouti Armed Forces member during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 10, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. William Reed, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, helps a service member of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) set up an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 8, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
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CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. William Reed, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, watches as a member of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) sets up an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 8, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
Photo 11 of 11
CJTF-HOA shares communications expertise with Djiboutian military partners
U.S. Army Spc. William Reed, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, watches as a service member of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) sets up an antenna during a military-to-military exchange course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 8, 2018. Throughout a two-week period, communications experts advised Djiboutian service members on how to set up, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot network equipment to increase communication capabilities between African Union Mission in Somalia forces. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Communications Directorate, CJ-6, finished training with members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) during a military-to-military exchange of best practices at Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti, Jan. 8-17, 2018.
The communications experts exchanged information with Djiboutian military partners on how to effectively operate, maintain, and troubleshoot their communications equipment throughout the two-week period.
“They’ve been doing a great job overall,” said U.S. Army Spc. Taylor Noble, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Communications Directorate. “They came in with a great deal of knowledge already, so I’m easily able to teach them more advanced techniques on how to operate their equipment.”
The Djiboutians also had the opportunity to teach other FAD members about new expertise they acquired during the exchange.
“I’m a big fan of when you teach, you learn,” Noble said. “Every time I’ve taught, I’ve run into problems that make me think on my feet, make me think critically. For them to go and teach, not only shows they effectively know what I’ve taught them but also shows they can further their knowledge when they go back and show this to their troops.”
Participants learned how to set up and break down antennas, acquire a satellite signals, create and connect cables, and troubleshoot connection problems.
“A lot of the time they use this equipment for information to support their mission, to keep them safe as well as keep whoever they’re supporting safe,” Noble said.
As a troop contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Djibouti works with other African nations and CJTF-HOA to strengthen the defense capabilities against violent extremist organizations (VEOs) in Somalia and the rest of the region.
According to its official website, AMISOM is an active regional peace support mission set up by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union with the full support of the United Nations.
AMISOM’s principal aim is to provide support for the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to stabilize the country and foster political dialogue and reconciliation. While its military component has members from 13 African nations, the bulk of its troops come from six countries: Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.
“Our goal is that the Djiboutians can effectively pass their acquired knowledge on without us being there because we want to assist them become more self-sustained,” Noble said.
Because they are from different countries, language can be a hindrance to the exchanges between militaries, but that stress was alleviated as one of the Communications Directorate Soldiers spoke French and was able to act as a translator during the exchange.
“(Acting as a translator) lets them know that we are here for them,” said U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Jousselin, a multisystem transmission operator and maintainer assigned to the Communications Directorate. “It helps them better understand our system, and helps us better understand their questions as well.
“We’re exchanging information that helps them and us, particularly information that helps with national security and how to suppress (VEOs),” Jousselin continued. “You’re able to shake hands with other people who have a common interest, and are here for the same mission. It’s a great opportunity.”
