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Central Accord 15 focuses on African and European partnership

Lt. Col. Jonathan Shine, commander, 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, works with central African military personnel during the preparation phase of Central Accord 2015 in Libreville, Gabon, May 14. Shine and his counterparts developed a plan of action for events taking place during the exercise. CA 15 exercises mission command proficiency for UN peacekeeping operations, develops multinational logistical and communications capabilities, and improves regional ability to command, control and support forward deployed forces. Approximately 400 military personnel from member nations are scheduled to participate in the exercise. The exercise consists of one week of classroom-based academics and one week of a command post exercise. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Folkerth)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Michael Folkerth 

U.S. military members joined with troops from several central African countries and their United Nations allies to participate in the opening ceremony of the Central Accord 2015 exercise at Libreville, Gabon, May 13.

The focus of CA-15 is to practice maintaining peace, testing capacities and strengthening relationships of all nations involved in the exercise U.S. Ambassador to Gabon, Hon. Cynthia Akuetteh said.

“In a world characterized by changing and diverse threats, African countries have recognized the need to address themselves to the large security challenges that come their way,” said Commissioner General Air Marshal Jean Felix Sockat, the secretary general of the Department of National Defense for Gabon.

A total of 15 countries are participating in the exercise. CA-15 not only provides an opportunity to train and become more efficient in multi-national responses to crises and threats around the world, it also shows the U.S. military’s continued support to Gabon and the other central African countries participating.

Sockat encouraged exercise participants to fully engage themselves in the training. The multinational military forces are slated to practice working together in operational, logistical and medical support of peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

“It is clear that in this era of globalization, no country can single-handedly deal with all forms of threats. This is what justifies the pooling of strengths and experience-sharing that supports this kind of exercise,” said Sockat.