Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies during East Africa trip
3:08 PM7/30/2021
Indian Sailors, assigned to the Marine Commandos aboard the INS Talwar (F 40), share visit, board, search and seizure best practices with personnel from the navies of Kenya, Djibouti, Mozambique and Comoro, and the Georgia Coast Guard, on July 27, 2021, at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa as part of exercise Cutlass Express 2021. Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity.
Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies during East Africa trip
2:15 PM7/30/2021
Indian Sailors, assigned to the Marine Commandos aboard the INS Talwar (F 40), share visit, board, search and seizure best practices with personnel from the navies of Kenya, Djibouti, Mozambique and Comoro, and the Georgia Coast Guard, on July 27, 2021, at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa as part of exercise Cutlass Express 2021. Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity.
Commander participates in Cutlass Express, JCET opening ceremonies
12:00 AM7/30/2021
U.S. Africa Command leaders including U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, visited Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti from July 25-30, 2022.
Cutlass Express 21 begins, aims to strengthen coalition to secure maritime domains
9:04 AM7/28/2021
Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of exercise Cutlass Express 2021 held at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa, Kenya, July 26, 2021. Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity.
USAF Combat Aviation Advisors provide C-145 training to Kenyan Air Force personnel during CULEX
10:57 AM6/7/2021
U.S. Air Force combat aviation advisors assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and Kenyan Air Force aircrews and Rapid Response Units conduct personnel recovery training on Moi Air Base, Kenya, May 12, 2021. The U.S. Air Force provided training in C-145 Skytruck flight and maintenance operations, as well as combat and survival training.
U.S. Air Force combat aviation advisors assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command showcase Kenya’s newly acquired C-145 Skytruck to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenyan officials in Nairobi, Kenya, May 12, 2021. The U.S. Air Force provided training in C-145 Skytruck flight and maintenance operations, as well as combat and survival training.
The engagement enabled a fully-trained flying crew - to include pilots, loadmasters, riggers and mechanics - proficient in operating and maintaining the C-145.
The engagement enabled a fully-trained flying crew - to include pilots, loadmasters, riggers and mechanics - proficient in operating and maintaining the C-145.
After 3 months of training, U.S. Air Force Combat Aviation Advisors assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command Africa and Kenyan Air Force (KAF) partners completed a successful culmination exercise showcasing the wide range of capabilities the recently-acquired C-145 Combat Coyote will add to the KAF fleet. The engagement enabled a fully-trained flying crew - to include pilots, loadmasters, riggers and mechanics - proficient in operating and maintaining the C-145. The culmination of the training featured an exercise in all areas to include airdrop, medical evacuation, and short take-off and landing.
USS Hershel “Woody” Williams enters Mombasa, Kenya
8:19 AM2/9/2021
The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams steams along through the Mombasa, Kenya, harbor, Feb. 8, 2021. Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and build strategic partnerships with their African partners.
Commander, senior enlisted leader, wrap up a five-day visit to East Africa including stops in Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya as well as to the USS Makin Island (LHD 8), operating off the coast of Somalia.
AFRICOM commander, senior enlisted leader conduct trip to East Africa
12:00 AM1/19/2021
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a five-day visit to East Africa in mid-January 2021, which included stops in Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya as well as to the USS Makin Island, operating off the coast of Somalia. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit have operated off the coast of Somalia since Dec. 21 as part of the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command for Joint Task Force – Quartz.
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a visit to Cooperative Security Location, Manda Bay, Kenya, Jan. 16, to meet with U.S. commanders and forces supporting security and training in the region.
AFRICOM commander, senior enlisted leader conduct trip to East Africa
12:00 AM1/16/2021
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a five-day visit to East Africa in mid-January 2021, which included stops in Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya as well as to the USS Makin Island, operating off the coast of Somalia. Townsend was accompanied by the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, whose participation on the trip emphasized the need for professional, well trained enlisted corps for partner forces, recognized U.S. forces and spoke with Somali military leadership about training possibilities.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
10:01 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, distributes coins to recognize members of the Marine Security Guard detachment at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya, while beginning a visit to key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships and security Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM leaders visit key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:57 AM12/28/2020
Warrant Officer Class One Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defence Forces Sergeant Major, invites Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, to observe the culminating event of the newly-developed Kenyan Command Course for NCOs Dec. 15. The course was implemented by Koranga following an AEDS key leader engagement in the U.S. in March when he visited NCO academies from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:53 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, speak with service members stationed at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, as part of a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti visit to key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships and security Dec. 14-17. The visit allowed for an updated commander’s assessment of the operations, security and infrastructure, with a special focus on assessing security and force protection improvements.
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, stands with senior Kenyan Defence Forces leadership prior to conducting a pass and review of KDF Soldiers Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.