Images

The MALBAT 9 commander salutes his troops after a presentation from Lt. Col. Nathan Springer, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), April 6, 2017, Malawi. This is the 9th iteration of MALBAT, the Malawi battalion that supports the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), USARAF and the British military are supporting the training of the MALBAT to strengthen regional security and stability.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment ("CURRAHEE!") currently assigned as Task Toccoa visited an orphanage outside Contingency Location Garoura. Soldiers delivered donated clothes and school supplies to the children. Upon arrival, they were greeted by singing, dancing, and even small plays. TF Toccoa's visit showcased the U.S. Army's commitment to the community and demonstrated the value of a Cameroonian/U.S. partnership.

U.S. Army medics from Task Force Toccoa share combat lifesaver practices with Cameroonian forces from Air Force Base 301 to strengthen the U.S. and Cameroon partnership at Contingency Location Garoua, Cameroon, April 5, 2017. (U.S. Army by photo 2nd Lt. Jorge Rodríguez)

Master Sgt. Bakaffa Casey, an information technology manager with U.S. Army Africa, and his mother pose for a photo at the Peace Support Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Casey was able to reunite with his mother and extended family members while in Ethiopia for exercise Justified Accord 17, which was held March 20-24, 2017. JA17 is an annual weeklong joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel, African partners, allies and international organizations to promote interoperability between participating nations for peacekeeping operations in the East Africa region. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth Moore (second from left), a U.S. Army Africa deputy commander, and Malawi Brig. Gen. Paul Phiri (right) sign the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Army and Malawi Defense Force at the Kumuzu Barracks in Lilongwe, Malawi, during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 29, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Scott Peirsol, a U.S. Army Africa G7 sergeant major, and Brig. Gen. Kenneth Moore, a U.S. Army Africa deputy commander, meet with Malawi Defense Force senior noncommissioned officers near the Malawi Armed Forces College in Salima, Malawi, during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 28, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

U.S. Army and Malawi Defense Force planners are briefed by a Malawi airborne lieutenant on the schedule of a training demonstration near the Malawi Armed Forces College in Salima, Malawi, during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 28, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kenneth Moore, a U.S. Army Africa deputy commander, shakes hands with Malawi Gen. Griffin "Spoon" Phiri, the chief of Malawi Armed Forces, after a briefing at the Kumuzu Barracks, Lilongwe, Malawi, during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 27, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

U.S. Army and Malawi Defense Force planners conduct the final briefing at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Conference Center in Lilongwe, Malawi during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 30, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

U.S. Army Africa conference planner, briefs U.S. and Malawi military planners at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Conference Center in Lilongwe, Malawi, during the final planning event for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2017, March 27, 2017. ALFS is an annual, weeklong seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialog to discuss and develop cooperative solutions to regional and trans-regional challenges and threats.

Exercise Allied Spirit VI includes 2,770 participants from NATO and Partner for Peace nations, exercising tactical interoperability and testing secure communications within Alliance members and partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Karen Sampson/ Released)

Sgt. First Class Lee Edmonds teaches a group of Tunisian officers and NCOs to be Observer Coach Trainers during Allied Spirit VI at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, March 16, 2017. Allied Spirit VI reinforces the relationships in Europe that have been building during the last 70 years, and provides unsurpassed capability in a strategic and vital location. (Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. William Frye)

Participants of the U.S. Army Africa-led exercise Justified Accord 17 pose for a group photo following a ceremony held on Mar. 20, 2017, at the Peace and Support Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The exercise is an annual combined joint exercise focused on bringing together U.S., African partners, Western partners, and international organizations to promote interoperability thru collaboration for peacekeeping operations in the East Africa region. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

Staff Sgt. Silvestre Arroyo, enlisted aide to the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, performs at a command board during the two-day, four-phase Enlisted Aide of the Year Competition held at Fort Lee, Va., March 8-9. Arroyo competed against six of his enlisted aide peers to earn the title for 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Russell Sauers)

Staff Sgt. Silvestre Arroyo, enlisted aide to the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, assembles a general officer’s dress jacket during the two-day, four-phase Enlisted Aide of the Year Competition held at Fort Lee, Va., March 8-9. Arroyo competed against six of his enlisted aide peers to earn the title for 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Russell Sauers)

Staff Sgt. Silvestre Arroyo, enlisted aide to the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, prepares a three-course meal for four people during the two-day, four-phase Enlisted Aide of the Year Competition held at Fort Lee, Va., March 8-9. Arroyo competed against six of his enlisted aide peers to earn the title for 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Russell Sauers)

Staff Sgt. Silvestre Arroyo, enlisted aide to the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, poses for a picture after being awarded the 2017 Enlisted Aide of the Year at the award ceremony for the Enlisted Aide of the Year Competition held at Fort Lee, Va., March 8-9. Arroyo competed against six of his enlisted aide peers to earn the title. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Russell Sauers)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Harrington, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa recognizes Spc. Anthony Lambel for outstanding performance as an infantry team leader for the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment while deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2017. Harrington's visit included the opportunity to meet with Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa leadership, as well as recognize numerous deployed Soldiers identified as superior performers while serving in the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Harrington, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa engages leaders with the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment and 418th Civil Affairs Battalion at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2017. Harrington's visit included the opportunity to meet with Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa leadership, as well as recognize numerous deployed Soldiers identified as superior performers while serving in the Horn of Africa.

Gen. Robert Abrams, chief of U.S. Army Forces Command, shakes hands with Col. Maximus Gumisiriza, an officer of the Ugandan People's Defense Force March 17, 2017, at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La. Gumisiriza was serving as an observer/trainer/controller to gain experience and knowledge to use in enhancing Uganda's combat training center.

Nineteen members of the Ugandan People's Defense Force disembark from a C-130 transport aircraft on the outskirts of Dara Lam, a mock village located in the Joint Readiness Training Center's primary training area, also called "the box" March 15. See page 6 of today's Guardian for a full story on the UPDF element in rotation 17-05.

Larry Robinson, exercise security planner with U.S. Army Africa, makes a donation of more than 400 articles of clothing and shoes to survivors of the Mar. 11 landslide that killed 113, at a donation collection camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mar. 17,2017. Robinson is in Addis Ababa for the USARAF-led exercise Justified Accord 17, which is an annual joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel, African partners, allies and international organizations to promote interoperability between participating nations for peace keeping operations in the East Africa region. (U.S. Army Africa Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

Larry Robinson, exercise security planner with U.S. Army Africa, makes a donation of more than 400 articles of clothing and shoes to survivors of the Mar. 11 landslide that killed 113, at a donation collection camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mar. 17,2017. Robinson is in Addis Ababa for the USARAF-led exercise Justified Accord 17, which is an annual joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel, African partners, allies and international organizations to promote interoperability between participating nations for peace keeping operations in the East Africa region. (U.S. Army Africa Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

Larry Robinson, exercise security planner with U.S. Army Africa, makes a donation of more than 400 articles of clothing and shoes to survivors of the Mar. 11 landslide that killed 113, at a donation collection camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mar. 17,2017. Robinson is in Addis Ababa for the USARAF-led exercise Justified Accord 17, which is an annual joint exercise that brings together U.S. Army personnel, African partners, allies and international organizations to promote interoperability between participating nations for peace keeping operations in the East Africa region. (U.S. Army Africa Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

A group of 19 personnel from Uganda People's Defence Force participate in rotation 17-05 at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., with 15 serving as the battalion headquarters and four serving as first-time guest observer/coach/trainers. These four are taking notes as they experience a rotation from a different angle — one that will help Uganda in creating its own Combat Training Center.

U.S. and Ghanaian medical professionals participate in the Closing Ceremony for Medical Readiness Training Exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 24. MEDRETE 17-2 includes participants from the Ghanaian government, U.S. Army Africa, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the North Dakota National Guard. It is the second in a series of medical readiness training exercises that USARAF is scheduled to facilitate in various countries in Africa. The mutually beneficial exercise offers opportunities for the partnered militaries to cooperate on medical specific tasks, share best practices and improve medical treatment processes. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti)

U.S. and Ghanaian medical professionals participate in the Closing Ceremony for Medical Readiness Training Exercise at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 24. MEDRETE 17-2 includes participants from the Ghanaian government, U.S. Army Africa, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the North Dakota National Guard. It is the second in a series of medical readiness training exercises that USARAF is scheduled to facilitate in various countries in Africa. The mutually beneficial exercise offers opportunities for the partnered militaries to cooperate on medical specific tasks, share best practices and improve medical treatment processes. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti)

U.S. Army Maj. John Ritchie, a general surgeon assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, assists his Ghanaian counterpart perform a radical prostatectomy during Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-2 at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 8, 2017.

Cpl. David Martinez, Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), assists Malawi Defense Force reconnaissance soldiers during land navigation training, Mar. 1-8, 2017, Malawi. This is the 9th iteration of MALBAT, the Malawi peacekeeping battalion that supports the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Soldiers from the 101st and USARAF are supporting the training of the MALBAT to strengthen regional security and stability.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Fortune, Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), addresses students from the Malawi Noncommissioned Officer Academy prior to their first field training exercise, Mar. 1-8, 2017, Malawi. 101st soldiers were in Malawi for the 9th iteration of MALBAT, the Malawi peacekeeping battalion that supports the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Soldiers from the 101st and USARAF are supporting the training of the MALBAT to strengthen regional security and stability.

Maj. Gen. Joseph P. Harrington, Commanding General of U.S. Army Africa and other senior U.S. and African Military Leaders listen to panel members during day one of the African Alumni Symposium (AAS) at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education center in Carlise, Pa., March 6, 2017.

Maj. Gen. Joseph P. Harrington, Commanding General of U.S. Army Africa and other senior U.S. and African Military Leaders listen to panel members during day one of the African Alumni Symposium (AAS) at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education center in Carlise, Pa., March 6, 2017. AAS17 facilitates dialog and relationships that improve interoperability among African regional and international security forces to combat violent extremist organizations (VEOs) across borders. International military cooperation strengthens regional – and ultimately global – peace and security. (U.S. Army Photo by. Spc Tadow McDonald, USARAF PAO)

Ray Campbell, professor at the U.S. Army War college, describes the timeline of the Battle of Gettysburg during a staff ride on day three of the African Alumni Symposium (AAS) March 8, 2017. AAS17 facilitates dialog and relationships that improve interoperability among African regional and international security forces to combat violent extremist organizations (VEOs) across borders. International military cooperation strengthens regional – and ultimately global – peace and security.

Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Nicholson

Pfc. Steven Hixson, a rifleman from Los Angeles, California assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division plays soccer with children at an orphanage, Feb. 27, 2017 near Garoua, Cameroon. Hixson and his team are deployed as part of the U.S. Army’s Regionally Aligned Forces in Africa.

1st Sgt. George Johnson and Sgt. Timothy McKinney, Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division share toys with children at an orphanage, Feb. 27, 2017 near Garoua, Cameroon. The toys were donated by 1-506th Inf. Regt. families prior to the unit’s deployment as part of the U.S. Army’s Regionally Aligned Forces in Africa.

1st Sgt. George Johnson, Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division passes toys to children at an orphanage, Feb. 27, 2017 near Garoua, Cameroon. The toys were donated by 1-506th Inf. Regt. families prior to the unit’s deployment as part of the U.S. Army’s Regionally Aligned Forces in Africa.

(From left) U.S. Army Africa Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion former Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Birdel Campbell, Commander, Lt. Col. Brett Medlin, and current Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Nicholson, return to their seats after performing the traditional ‘Passing of the Colors’ during a change of responsibility ceremony to formally recognize Nicholson as he assumes the position of HHBn command sergeant major from Campbell, Mar. 7, 2017 at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. (U.S. Army Africa Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)

North Dakota Army National Guard Capt. Annie Gerhardt, a nurse practitioner, prepares a complex laceration for surgical intervention during the Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-2 in Ghana, Feb. 7, 2017. MEDRETE is a combined effort between the Ghanaian government, U.S. Army Africa, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the North Dakota National Guard. MEDRETE 17-2 is the second in a series of Medical Readiness Training Exercises that U.S. Army Africa is scheduled to facilitate within various countries in Africa. The mutually beneficial exercise offers opportunities for the partnered militaries to cooperate on medical specific tasks, share best practices and improve medical treatment processes. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti)

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Harvey, an operating room specialist assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, prepares surgical tools for an operation during Medical Readiness Training Exercise 17-2 at the 37th Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Feb. 9, 2017. MEDRETE 17-2 includes participants from the Ghanaian government, U.S. Army Africa, Brooke Army Medical Center and the North Dakota National Guard. It is the second in a series of medical readiness training exercises USARAF is scheduled to facilitate in various countries on the African continent this year. The mutually beneficial exercise offers opportunities for the partnered militaries to cooperate on medical specific tasks, share best practices and improve medical treatment processes. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti)