Two U.S. Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) provided updated communications equipment to the Burundi Army signal team in Bujumbura, Burundi, to reestablish the African Data Sharing Network.
We like working with our partners and having them here providing hands-on help has exceeded our expectations.
By Staff Sgt. Melissa Sterling, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of AfricaBujumbura, BurundiMay 24, 2021
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U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Goodwin, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications chief projects officer, installs new communications equipment at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. The equipment included an encryptor, two networking devices, two laptops, and two phones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. and Burundi soldiers discuss the updated capabilities of the African Data Sharing Network at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. The U.S. and coalition forces share information in Africa through ADSN, a network that allows partners a secure way to communicate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joel Nelson, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications projects non-commissioned officer in charge, tests the new communications equipment at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. U.S. Africa Command facilitated the new equipment update. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Goodwin, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications chief projects officer, talks with Burundi Army Capt. Bigirimana Gélase, a signal officer, about dismantling the SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19 2021. The SNAP, now replaced by commercial internet, was used to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
Burundi soldiers dismantle a SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. Commercial internet replaced the SNAP, providing a more flexible method to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. and Burundi soldiers dismantle a SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. Commercial internet replaced the SNAP, providing a more flexible method to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Goodwin, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications chief projects officer, and Burundi Army Maj. Nibampa Féliase, a signal officer, dismantle a SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. Commercial internet replaced the SNAP, providing a more flexible method to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S. and Burundi soldiers dismantle a SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. Commercial internet replaced the SNAP, providing a more flexible method to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
A Burundi Army signal officer, center, discusses firewalls with U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joel Nelson, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications projects non-commissioned officer in charge, at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. The U.S. Soldiers helped update the host nation's equipment for the African Data Sharing network which allows secure communication through e-mails, web portals, and phone calls. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
BUJUMBURA, Burundi (May 20, 2021)-- Two U.S. Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) provided updated communications equipment to the Burundi Army signal team in Bujumbura, Burundi, to reestablish the African Data Sharing Network.
The ADSN allows countries to collaborate at the national and tactical levels through intelligence data exchange.
“We are happy to have them here,” said Burundi Army Maj. Nibampa Féliase, a signal officer, about the U.S. Soldiers. “We like working with our partners and having them here providing hands-on help has exceeded our expectations.”
Having personal interactions with partner nations enhances our relationships with them and allows an open exchange for questions or concerns, said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joel Nelson, the CJTF-HOA communications projects non-commissioned officer in charge.
The CJTF-HOA team provided a kit that replaced an encryptor, two networking devices, two laptops, and two phones. In addition, they helped dismantle an outdated satellite system previously used to connect users to the ADSN.
“This is our sixth country where we’ve deployed the new equipment and trained partner forces,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Goodwin, the CJTF-HOA communications chief projects officer. “COVID has been a challenge for our travels, but we’ve been determined to help restore ADSN in East Africa.”
The team completed updates for the ADSN in Djibouti, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and now Burundi.
These countries can now use file sharing, voice, email, and chat capabilities to allow the exchange of information across differing security domains.
Each site posed unique challenges that were unforeseen until onsite. Whether it was a firewall, internet connection or a hardware issue, the team managed to find a solution and accomplish the mission.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
