U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu and Col. Bibonimana, Burundi National Defense Forces right, receive an Operations and Intelligence update from the BNDF staff offensive during a visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. The MCC’s mission is to increase defense capability, capacity, and coordination among its East African partner in their pursuit to neutralize violent extremist organizations. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

Col. Bibonimana, right, Burundi National Defense Forces, jokes with U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu, during a visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. The MCC provides planning and advisory support to the AMISOM and Somali security forces to increase their capabilities and promote peace and security throughout Somalia and the region. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, center, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadisu, addresses Burundi National Defense Forces staff on the U.S. commitment to support BNDF serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia during a visit to the AMISOM Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. The MCC is a prime component of the Combined Joint Task Force –Horn of Africa whose mission is to help build the defense capability, capacity, and coordination among its East African partners to improve capacity to neutralize violent extremist organizations. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, right, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadisu, discusses support requirements for a pending Burundi National Defense Force offensive during a visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. AMISOM forces have been instrumental in helping Somali National Security Forces push the Al Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al Shabaab, out of much of southern Somalia including most major towns and cities. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, right, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadisu, meets with senior members of the Burundi National Defense Forces during a visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. Burundi is a major troop contributor to AMISOM, whose principal aim is to provide support for the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to stabilize the country and foster political dialogue and reconciliation. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, center, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadisu, visits with Burundi National Defense Forces at the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. Burundian forces serving in AMISOM have been instrumental in creating a relatively secure environment which has allowed the Somali peace process to take root and allowed local population the opportunity to establish accountable local governing institutions. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)