U.S., French forces conduct joint artillery training

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF) in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Intermarines Regiment (RIAOM) participated in a live-fire joint artillery training event at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Feb. 2, 2021.



By Tech. Sgt. Dana Cable Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb 16, 2021
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 24 images

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF) in support of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Intermarines Regiment (RIAOM) participated in a live-fire joint artillery training event at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Feb. 2, 2021.

The purpose of the joint training was to share French and U.S. artillery techniques and further the relationship between EARF Soldiers and the 5th RIAOM.

“This is the first time in over 4 years the U.S. and French have conducted a joint artillery training exercise like this,” said U.S. Army Capt. Charles Hartwig, battalion fire-support officer.

Starting in December of 2020 the U.S. Soldiers invited the French artillery unit to Camp Lemonnier to conduct call-for-fire training.

“We did some joint observer training where the French came here and they used our call-for-fire trainer with us which is a computer system to practice call-for-fire,” Hartwig said.

A week later, the French returned the invite and hosted U.S. Soldiers at the French base.

“We went over to the French base and they had kind of an artillery show and tell,” Hartwig said. They showed us their howitzer, computer systems, vehicles and we went to observe and during that time we started to really plan the joint fire exercise for the beginning of February and we had a few safety meetings after that.”

According to Hartwig, the meetings and knowledge exchanges leading up to the culminating live-fire exercise were extremely valuable.

“The biggest take away for the Soldiers is the understanding of a conventional warfare setting, especially working alongside our NATO Allies,” Hartwig said.

Both the French and U.S. agreed there are more similarities than differences in their artillery procedures.

“There are some differences, but the chain of command is roughly the same,” said French Lt. Cedric Duqenois. “It’s very important for our Nations to teach each other procedures so it’s easier to fight together when we go on international missions.” According to Hartwig and Duqenois the live-fire event was a huge success and they have already started planning their next one.

“The value in this training is unbelievable, not just for the technical side but being able to meet Soldiers from different countries,” Hartwig said. “Having that commonality is something that every Soldier from both the French and U.S. forces has said needs to continue to happen and that it was some of the best things that they have ever done in their careers -- so we want to make sure we continue this moving forward with the incoming units.”

More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more