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US, Tanzania conduct field training exercise during Justified Accord 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) departs, concluding the field training exercise of exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25), at the Msata Military Training Base in Msata, Tanzania, Feb. 15, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Knight)
Photo by: Sgt. Michael Knight
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US, Kenya conduct urban operations training during Justified Accord
U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Traynor, left, and Spc. Phoenix Brooks, both infantrymen with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, provide security for an urban operations exercise during Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations center in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 16, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted in Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kylejian Francia)
Photo by: Sgt. Kylejian Francia
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US, Tanzania conduct field training exercise during Justified Accord 2025
U.S. Army soldiers with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), join U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and the Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) for a group photo, culminating their field training exercise and concluding exercise Justified Accord (JA25), Feb. 15, 2025 at the Masata Military Training Base in Msata, Tanzania. The exercise JA25, is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted in Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Knight)
Photo by: Sgt. Michael Knight
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US, Kenya service members provide medical assistance at local hospital
U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Richard Smith, an assistant chief nurse with 912th Field Hospital, 818th Hospital Center, 8th Medical Brigade, provides medical assistance to Kenyan citizens during a joint medical civic action program (MEDCAP) with the Kenya Defence Forces as part of exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) at Archers Post, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. This two-day MEDCAP typically serves between 750-900 patients, while enhancing joint readiness between civilian and military medical providers. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti, and Tanzania, JA 25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins
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US, UK, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, distinguished visitors participate in Justified Accord
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade; join 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, 51st Troop Command, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Massachusetts National Guard; the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF); Somalia Danab; Tanzania People's Defence Forces; and 3rd Rifles, 11th Infantry Brigade, 1st (United Kingdom) Division, pose for a group photo while a KDF F5, assigned to the 15th Fighter Wing flies over at the Counter Insurgency Terrorism and Stability Operations center during Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) in Nanyuki, Kenya, Feb. 20, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kylejian Francia)
Photo by: Sgt. Kylejian Francia
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Exercise Justified Accord 2026 logo
Justified Accord 2026 (JA26) exercise logo designed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) public affairs office. JA26 is U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM) largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa. The exercise runs February 23 – March 13, 2026, across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. Led by SETAF-AF, this joint, all-domain exercise integrates about 1,500 personnel to build readiness against shared security threats. (U.S. Army graphic by Brian Andries).
AI was used in the creation of this video.
Photo by: Maj. Brian Andries
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US, Tanzania conduct field training exercise during Justified Accord 2025
U.S. Army soldiers with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) service members advance to their position to neutralizing enemy opposition during the culminating field training exercise of exercise Justified Accord 2025 (JA25), at the Msata Military Training Base in Msata, Tanzania, Feb. 15, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Knight)
Photo by: Sgt. Michael Knight
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US, Kenya veterinarians treat local animals during Justified Accord
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John LeBlanc, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) assists with administering medicine to a goat during a veterinary civic action program (VETCAP) as part of Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) in Archers Post, Kenya, Feb. 18, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins
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US, Kenya service members provide medical assistance at local hospital
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Arthur McCauley, a combat medic with the 301st Medical Detachment, 912th Field Hospital, 8th Medical Brigade, and U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Alisa Foster, a patient administration specialist with the 912th Field Hospital, 818th Hospital Center, 8th Medical Brigade, check vitals on a Kenyan citizen during a medical civic action program at Justified Accord 2025 (JA25) in Archers Post, Kenya, Feb. 13, 2025. This two-day MEDCAP typically serves between 750-900 patients, while enhancing joint readiness between civilian and military medical providers. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted by Kenya, Djibouti, and Tanzania, JA 25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Josiah Jenkins
NAIROBI, Kenya – Exercise Justified Accord 2026 (JA26), U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa, officially begins today across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 integrates approximately 1,500 personnel from Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States and several other nations to build readiness, deepen partnerships and strengthen regional security.
The exercise strengthens cooperation and advances regional security by enabling partner-led security operations against shared threats.
The exercise, running through March 13, 2026, serves as a premier innovation hub in East Africa. JA26 is designed to validate new technologies in austere environments while enabling partner-led security operations against shared counter-terrorism threats.
The exercise features a comprehensive suite of training events designed to test the full spectrum of military operations.
“The true strength of Justified Accord lies in our partners taking the lead, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Fernandez, the Justified Accord branch chief, SETAF-AF. “This exercise embodies the principle of burden sharing, creating a powerful, partner-led security network capable of shouldering the responsibility for a stable and prosperous East Africa.”
The two-week exercise features a training approach tailored to shared regional security needs.
In Kenya, activities focus on enhancing joint command and control, including a multinational live-fire exercise, a command post exercise integrating special operations and conventional forces, air-to-ground integration, and defensive cyber operations centered in Nairobi and Isiolo.
In Tanzania, the focus is readiness, global force projection, and joint readiness for crisis response. The exercise features a bilateral field training exercise on jungle warfare and counter-improvised explosive devices, alongside a medical readiness exercise to support local communities and increase U.S. medical readiness.
JA26 heavily leverages the National Guard Bureau’s state partnership program to deepen long-term military relationships.
The Massachusetts National Guard continues its decade-long partnership with Kenya, leading complex kinetic training, while the Nebraska National Guard builds upon its newly developed partnership with Tanzania, focusing on expeditionary medical and ground force readiness.
The training concludes with distinguished visitor days, showcasing the tangible return on investment of this multinational partnership and shared security cooperation.
During the JA26 distinguished visitor days, in coordination with the U.S. military and the U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Embassy Nairobi), selected U.S. and African vendors will set up technology expositions.
The industry day will directly connect commercial technological solutions with military and interagency end-users, fostering collaboration and aligning innovation with operational requirements focused on counter-terrorism, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and counter-UAS capabilities.
“A truly resilient joint force is powered by a thriving defense ecosystem,” added Fernandez. “What you will see is that ecosystem in action, a strategic partnership between our warfighters and commercial innovators from both the U.S. and our partners.”
