Kentucky Guard attends leader engagement with Djibouti

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DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti - Kentucky National Guard senior leadership arrived in Djibouti to celebrate 47 years of independence during a key leader engagement June 25-27. Kentucky leadership attended Djibouti's Independence Day parade and met with Djiboutian and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) leaders as part of the State Partnership Program (SPP).

"The parade was well organized and ran very smoothly. It was great to attend their 47th Independence Day celebration., said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton, adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard. "I'm hoping other Guardsmen get the opportunity to attend the independence or the military day parade in the future."

Lamberton and U.S Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers met with both General Taher Ali Mohamed, Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) Chief of Staff, and Col. Fouad Elmi Waiss, Commander of Central Material, to discuss future military engagements between the two forces.

The meeting at the FAD International Relations Building allowed conversations for continuity of military-to-military events. They covered a range of topics, including crisis management response to flooding and earthquakes, Military Occupational Specialty functional area engagements and the development of a multiyear agenda. Additionally, they evaluated previous engagements and discussed the practicality of Guard units conducting annual training events with participants from FAD in Djibouti.

All leaders believe these discussions are crucial for enhancing military cooperation and preparedness.

"It's almost been 10 years and we will keep the momentum of sharing knowledge." said Gen. Taher Ali Mohamed.

Kentucky National Guards' State Partnership Program with Djibouti began in June 2015. The partnership has been proven itself to be an efficient and economical program for developing partner capacity.

Lamberton added, "plans will be starting to hold a celebration next year to recognize the 10th anniversary of our partnership with FAD."

Over the years, the partnership between the Kentucky Guard and FAD has been enhanced by the logistical support of CJTF-HOA at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

Kentucky leadership met U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Justin A. Kubu, Deputy Commander, CJTF-HOA, and staff at CJTF-HOA headquarters to discuss SPP and engagements. The meeting between high-ranking officials highlights the enduring relationship in Djibouti and the mutual benefits of the program.

"Part of building relationships is reaching out to the commands that are operating in your area." Said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dan Cooper, Director, Kentucky State Partnership Program. "The only SPP partnership in Africa that has a two-star command structure resides in Djibouti. And that is unique."

CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests, primarily in the East Africa region. The command is critical to U.S. Africa Command's efforts to build partner capacity to counter violent extremists and address other regional security partnerships. Headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the command works against malign actors to strengthen collective security forces and respond to crises to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

"CJTF-HOA can maintain a lot of continuity between engagements because they are physically in the country. We have the ability to sustain and amplify each other's efforts," said Cooper.

CJTF-HOA operates under U.S Africa Command (USAFRICOM). The SPP supports combatant commanders and chief of mission security cooperation objectives and DOD policy goals.

Sgt. Maj. Withers is a member of USAFRICOM Enlisted Professional Working Group, and said these engagements and meetings are not just intended for high-ranking individuals.

"Future SPP engagements located in Djibouti are in the works to get a better understanding of the FAD's enlisted personnel and perspectives from SETAF (U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa) and CJTF-HOA on an NCO instructor course" said Withers.

U.S. Army Maj. Eric Green, a bilateral affairs officer for the Kentucky State Partnership Program, added "we want to build relationships at all levels."

About CJTF-HOA

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.

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SETAF-AF providesU.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

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