CJTF-HOA shares tactical communications best practices with Djiboutian military partners

U.S. service members from the tactical communications (TACCOM) section assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) communications directorate conducted a best practices sharing session with members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), Oct. 2-4.



By Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Djibouti Oct 07, 2017
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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti— U.S. service members from the tactical communications (TACCOM) section assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) communications directorate conducted a best practices sharing session with members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), Oct. 2-4.

Over the course of the three days, demonstrations on best practices for the use of three different types of Harris radios were performed.

“The overall goal was to exchange some best practices between our members and FAD personnel on the Harris radios to further expand their knowledge base of setting up and maintaining their equipment.” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Colon-Reyes, TACCOM section chief.

The FAD currently uses Harris radios to communicate in their normal operations, and sharing the TACCOM’s experience on these radios will benefit the FAD’s utilization of them.  After several weeks of communicating with FAD radio operators and discovering they had a desire to share knowledge of radio operations procedures, TACCOM personnel arranged for seven FAD personnel to participate in the learning session.

With the aid of slide show presentations, multiple practical exercises and hands-on demonstrations, the TACCOM personnel showcased their methods for use of the radios and exchanged information about standard operating procedures with FAD personnel.

“The hands-on demonstrations proved to be the most effective,” said U.S. Army Spc. Isiaac Clutter, TACCOM radio operator, who noted that even with an interpreter it was a little more cumbersome to communicate things verbally.

“But I noticed the FAD members were eager to learn our techniques after watching our practical exercises,” he added.

Djibouti Armed Forces Sgt. Houssein Ali Robleh participated in the session and echoed these sentiments, also expressing his gratitude for the instructors dedicating nearly a month in advance to plan, prepare and execute the best practices session.

“The instructors helped us better understand the installation and de-installation of the Harris radios,” said Ali Robleh. “We are grateful for the information they shared with us to allow for utilization of the radio in many ways that will support our daily operations.”

CJTF-HOA assists its East African partners to strengthen their defense capabilities, capacity, and coordination to enable them to provide for their own security, combat transnational threats, and respond to crises.  Partnerships and best practice sharing are effective and efficient ways of accomplishing this mission.

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