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AFRICOM commander, senior enlisted leader conduct trip to East Africa

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.

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Photo by: Col. Jackie Breeden 

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a visit to Cooperative Security Location (CSL), Manda Bay, Kenya, Jan. 16, to meet with U.S. commanders and forces supporting security and training in the region.

Townsend and other senior U.S. Africa Command leaders have made several trips to Kenya to strengthen partnerships, assess security, facilities, and enhancements made at the location, as well as recognize the mutual benefits of ongoing U.S. military training with Kenyan Defense Forces. U.S. Africa Command remains committed to East African partner nations and mindful of mutual threats.

"Our forces in East Africa are focused and recognize the threats we face. We remain ready to help our partners and able to respond to any threat to U.S. interests in the region," Townsend said.

Over the past year, substantial enhancements have been made to physical security and more stringent force protection procedures have been implemented, recognizing the enduring threat al- Shabaab and other violent extremist organizations present to the U.S. and African partner nations.

U.S. Africa Command and Kenya have a long and unwavering commitment to working together to enhance the two nations' military interoperability. The U.S. and East Africa partners share a common enemy in al-Shabaab.

"Al-Shabaab is a brutal enemy and a dangerous threat to America and Africa," said Townsend. "We continue to work closely with our partners to degrade al-Shabaab's ability to conduct operations and spread violence. America's and Africa's security depends on it."

Townsend also traveled to Kenya in December to reinforce U.S. Africa Command's commitment and discuss broad East Africa cooperation, security, training, and force protection efforts with U.S. and Kenyan defense officials. Townsend also met with U.S. troops serving at CSL Manda Bay.