View allAll Photos Tagged Interoperability
Col. Andrew Aquino (from left), chaplaincy director for the Ohio National Guard; Col. Saša Milutinović, head of division for religion for the Serbian Armed Forces; and Col. Slajan Stamenkovic, duty commander, 4th Army Brigade, Serbian Armed Forces, gather together with United Arab Emirates soldiers for a traditional Emirate meal, June 19, 2018, at Serbia’s South Base and Boravac Training Area, during Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018. The goal of the meal was to ensure the soldiers’ religious dietary needs were properly met and share ideas for continued religious support of the Emirate soldiers in the future. Platinum Wolf 18, a two-week multinational peacekeeping exercise, brings 10 nations together to enhance military cooperation and interoperability, June 11-22. (Ohio National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker)
Military forces from the U.S., U.K., Lithuania and Poland conduct a convoy movement from Poland to Lithuania to continue the next portion of Saber Strike 2017 near Rukla, Lithuania, June 18, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO Alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
Observers from the U.S. and Ukranian Army watch as troops prepare to conduct a squad engagment exercise during Rapid Trident 2012 in Yavoriv, Ukraine, July 17. Rapid Trident supports interoperability among Ukraine, the United States, NATO and Partnership for Peace member nations. Approximately 1,400 personnel from 16 different nations are participating in the exercise which will consist of multi-national academic course and situational and field training exercises. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs)(Photo by Lt. Col. Vladimir Skorostetskiy, Ukrainian Army Public Affairs)
ARTA TRAINING RANGE, Djibouti (Oct. 7, 2015) U.S. Marine Capt. John Garlasco is awarded the desert commando pin during the desert survival and tactics course pinning ceremony. Garlasco is a platoon commander with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Detachment. Elements of the 15th MEU are training with the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) in Djibouti from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
Pte. Scott Bridge, a rifleman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, provides security as coalition forces pass by following a raid on an improvised explosive device factory at Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, July 27. The raid was the action subsequent to a noncombatant evacuation operation executed by Marines with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and coalition forces at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, July 26. Both operations were conducted as part of interoperability training between coalition forces during the multi-national Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2010.
Battle Group Poland U.S., U.K and 15th Mechanized Brigade Polish tactical vehicles perform river crossing training June 19 in Rukla, Lithuanian as part of the joint training exercise Iron Wolf which is held in conjunction with Saber Strike 17. The exercises include integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the militaries of the 20 participating nations throughout the Baltic region and Poland. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kevin Wang/Released)
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eric Hady (right), an aircraft loadmaster assigned to the 103rd Operations Group, 103rd Airlift Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard and an Italian paratrooper jump master prepare for a jump during an airdrop mission, as part of Exercise Swift Response 22, May 11, 2022, in Pisa, Italy. Swift Response is a U.S. EUCOM scheduled, U.S. Army Europe and Africa conducted, and SETAF-AF led global exercise, focused on Allied Airborne forces' ability to quickly and effectively respond to crisis situations as an interoperable, multi-national team. Swift Response demonstrates U.S. and Allied force projection and high readiness interoperability in support of NATO Connected Force Initiative (CFI). Swift Response consists of Joint Forcible Entries (JFEs) into the Nordic, Baltics, and Balkans, followed by multinational training, and live-fire exercises. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Tamara R. Dabney)
U.S Marine Sgt. Ian Walker prepares for takeoff before an aerial sniper mission on an MH-60S Seahawk during maritime interoperability training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 12, 2015. Walker is an assistant team leader with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Force Reconnaissance Detachment. MIT prepares the 15th MEU's Maritime Raid Force for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Allison Burgos/Released)
Battle Group Poland U.S. Soldiers prepare for a tactical movement to the field during Saber Strike 2017, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area near Orzysz, Poland, June 13, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
A Luxembourg Army soldier stands guard next to a armored infantry mobility vehicle during exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 23, 2015. Saber Junction 15 prepares NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive, and stability operations and promotes interoperability among participants. Saber Junction 15 has more than 4,700 participants from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/Released)
A U.S. Army M3 Bradley fighting vehicle of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment travels on a road, providing security for a German Army Marder infantry fighting vehicle of the German Army Combat Training Center (GACTC), in the distance, while conducting an assault operations training during exercise Letzlingen Freedom Shock at the GACTC in Letzlingen, Germany, April 27, 2015. Exercise Letzlingen Freedom Shock strengthens interoperability between the German and American training organizations while highlighting U.S. Army Europe's rapid deployment capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Schell)
U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464, Detachment A, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a logistic resupply mission in a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from the U.S.S. Sacagawea during exercise Ssang Yong 2014 on April 1, 2014. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Chief Warrant Officer Clinton Runyon, MCIPAC Combat Camera/Released)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Rymer, 435th Contingency Response Squadron mobile aerial port supervisor, provides training on securing cargo to Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina 2nd Lt. Medina Hodzic, Basic Platoon in Transport commander, Battalion of Logistic Support, Sept. 11, 2019, at Tuzla International Airport, BiH. Silver Arrow is a U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces Europe sponsored training event that supports multinational interoperability and establishes a way-ahead for introducing air coordination and a Media Information Center element - a new capability for Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sarah McClanahan)
PHILIPPINE SEA (March 13, 2019) Ensign Jerome Stanford plots maneuvers aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69). U.S. Navy warships train together to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality and interoperability of participating units in an Era of Great Power Competition. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rufus Hucks/Released)
INDIAN OCEAN (Aug. 27, 2017) The Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand (F51) practices underway replenishment approaches with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) as part of bilateral interoperability drills following the Pearl Harbor’s visit to Goa, India. The bilateral drills between Pearl Harbor and Trikand were aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and emphasize the importance of communications and coordination while operating together at sea. Pearl Harbor, with embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently completed a routine port visit to Goa, India to experience the city’s culture and history as part of their scheduled patrol in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Kris Rodriguez/Released)
In order to quickly reengage his target Lance Cpl. Taymullah B. Ameen unloads a round out of his M40 A5 bolt action sniper rifle as a part of an unknown distance qualification range August 18 at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, during Exercise Koolendong 14. The range focused on increasing scout sniper's long range precision firing capabilities. The Marines challenged themselves with the M40 A5, M110 SASS and the M107 SASR. The Marines are with Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and are currently deployed in part of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with our Australian allies, and improves interoperability with our forces. Ameen, a Chicago, Illinois native, is a mortarman assigned with the platoon. (Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Joey S. Holeman, Jr./ Released)
Picture shows a German Army Leopard 2A6 participating in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge (SETC), May 08, 2016 at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The SETC is co-hosted by U.S. Army Europe and the German Bundeswehr May 10-13, 2016. The competition is designed to foster military partnership while promoting NATO interoperability. Seven platoons from six NATO nations are competing in SETC - the first multinational tank challenge at Grafenwoehr in 25 years. For more photos, videos and stories from the Strong Europe Tank Challenge, go to www.eur.army.mil/tankchallenge/ (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
U.S. Army Soldiers from Eagle Troop 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, stationed out of Vilseck, Germany, fire an FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile during a live fire field training exercise at Tapa Training Area, Estonia, June 3, 2016. Eagle Troop conducted a six-hour platoon level training lane during their rotation to Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) to test the Soldiers' strength and endurance. OAR contributes to regional stability through the enhanced land force multi-national training and security cooperation activities taking place in each of the participating countries, strengthens relationships among allied militaries, and improves multi-national interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steven M. Colvin)
Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers and twins, Soldiers 1st Class Emir and Nermin Sirovina, both military police, have served together for six years. The two grew up in Sarajevo and continue to serve side-by-side at Camp West at Hohenfels Training Area Sept. 2. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
Military forces from the U.S., U.K., Lithuania and Poland conduct a convoy movement from Poland to Lithuania to continue the next portion of Saber Strike 2017 near Rukla, Lithuania, June 18, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO Alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles in order to disembark the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 25, 2015. The 15th MEU was embarked aboard the three ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group - the USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and USS Rushmore – from Jan. 22-25 to familiarize themselves with the ships as they continue to prepare for their upcoming deployment this spring. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
A soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force performs shooting drills while conducting scout sniper training during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ricardo Hurtado/Released)
BASE AERIENNE 188, Djibouti (Sept. 21, 2015) A pilot with the French 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) explains the capabilities and structure of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma to U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Elements of the 15th MEU are preparing to conduct bilateral training with the 5th RIAOM in Djibouti in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve H. Lopez/Released)
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Estonian Army Cpl. Albert Benedik of Rakvere, and assigned to the Estonia Scout Battalion, provides security during an STX (simulated training exercise) lane at Hohenfels Training Area Aug. 27. Saber Junction 14 is a large-scale, joint, multinational, annual military exercise, involving hundreds of aircraft and vehicles and thousands of personnel from 16 different nations. The exercise will prepare brigade-level units for worldwide contingency operations. The exercise further focuses U.S., NATO, and partner forces on concepts such as decisive and sustainable land operations through the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations and on interoperability with partnered nations. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance), 12th Combat Aviation Brigade load a CH-47 Chinook helicopter while conducting cold load training during exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 11, 2015. Saber Junction 15 prepares NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive, and stability operations and promotes interoperability among participants. Saber Junction 15 has more than 4,700 participants from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, and the U.S. More at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Shardesia Washington/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 1, 2022) Operations Specialist 2nd Classes Brandon Pratt, right, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Andrew Alva, from San Bernardino, California, plot maneuvering board solutions in the Combat Information Center aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) while participating in bilateral advanced warfare training (BAWT). BAWT is an annual bilateral training exercise that improves the partnership between U.S. and Japanese Forces. This year’s exercise focused on enhancing readiness and interoperability of coalition forces from the U.S. and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Benjamin Lewis)
SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 27, 2021) Lt. j.g. Morgan Greenan, assigned to forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) gives a tour of the ship's bridge to Ens. Seiya Kuroyama, assigned to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Ise (DDH 182). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in U.S. 7th Fleet to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore C. Lee)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Richard D. Thresher speaks with Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a visit aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) at Naval Base San Diego Jan. 24, 2015. Thresher is the sergeant major of 1st Marine logistics Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey/Released)
MANILA, Philippines (July 29, 2021) Philippine Navy sailors instruct U.S. service members on improvised medical techniques during a Pacific Partnership 21 medical discussion. Pacific Partnership, now in its 16th iteration, brings nations together to prepare during calm periods to effectively respond in times of crisis. Each year, the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joseph R. Vincent/Released)
Soldiers from the 500th Engineer Company, 15th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade and Slovenian army engineers prepare for a mission to dig fire positions on a hillside at Hohenfels Training Area, Sept. 4. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
Marine Staff Sgt. Justin Parker, with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment out of Little Rock, Ark., discusses internally displaced person procedures with Soldiers from Ghana during Exercise Western Accord 14, June 19. Exercise Western Accord is a partnership exercise between the United States and Economic Community of West Africa States, which is designed to increase interoperability between military forces and ensure the common ability to conduct peace operations throughout Western Africa. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Sgt. William Gore)
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U.S. Army M3 Bradley fighting vehicles of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment maneuver through a field while conducting a water obstacle with opposing forces scenario during exercise Letzlingen Freedom Shock at the GACTC in Letzlingen, Germany, April 25, 2015. Exercise Letzlingen Freedom Shock promotes interoperability between the German and American training organizations while highlighting U.S. Army Europe's rapid deployment capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Schell/Released)
A Slovenian armored vehicle leaves its fire position at Hohenfels Training Area Sept. 4. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
A U.S. Marine, right, pre-scout sniper instructor, 1st Marine Division Schools, explains shooting techniques to soldiers from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force while conducting shooting drills during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2014. Iron Fist is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ricardo Hurtado/Released)
U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Justin Seignemartin, right, Japanese translator, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sits with a soldier from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Exercise Iron Fist 2014 aboard Camp Penldeton, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014. Iron Fist 2014 is an amphibious exercise that brings together Marines and sailors from the 15th MEU, other I Marine Expeditionary Force units, and soldiers from the JGSDF, to promote military interoperability and hone individual and small-unit skills through challenging, complex and realistic training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna K. Albrecht/Released)
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Battle Group Poland U.S. Soldiers prepare for a tactical movement to the field during Saber Strike 2017, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area near Orzysz, Poland, June 13, 2017. Saber Strike 17 is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces exercise conducted annually to enhance the NATO alliance throughout the Baltic region and Poland. This year's exercise includes integrated and synchronized deterrence-oriented training designed to improve interoperability and readiness of the 20 participating nations' militaries. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stefan English)
A German Army Leopard II tank, assigned to 104th Panzer Battalion, moves through the Joint Multinational Readiness Center during Saber Junction 2012 in Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 25. The U.S. Army Europe's exercise Saber Junction trains U.S. personnel and 1800 multinational partners from 18 nations ensuring multinational interoperability and an agile, ready coalition force.
(U.S. Army Europe photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/released)
Cpt. Gerald Stoermer (front), and Pvt. David Armstrong from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division parade the unit guidon through the heart of old Riga as part of the Latvia Day parade November 18, 2014. The company was just part of the massive parade that featured partners from various NATO allies who marched with Latvian armed forces to commemorate the 96th year of the country's indepence. The Latvian national holiday took place during part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, strengthen relationships among allied militaries, contribute to regional stability and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy J. Fowler)
Estonian army Sgt. 1st Class Andrei Kurotskin of Palkiski, and assigned to the Estonia Scout Battalion, provides security during an STX (simulated training exercise) lane at Hohenfels Training Area Aug. 27. Saber Junction 14 is a large-scale, joint, multinational, annual military exercise, involving hundreds of aircraft and vehicles and thousands of personnel from 16 different nations. The exercise will prepare brigade-level units for worldwide contingency operations. The exercise further focuses U.S., NATO, and partner forces on concepts such as decisive and sustainable land operations through the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations and on interoperability with partnered nations. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina M. Dion/Released)
U.S. Army Africa photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Davis
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) hosted its second annual C4ISR Senior Leaders Conference Feb. 2-4 at Caserma Ederle, headquarters of U.S. Army Africa, in Vicenza, Italy.
The communications and intelligence community event, hosted by Brig. Gen. Robert Ferrell, AFRICOM C4 director, drew approximately 80 senior leaders from diverse U.S. military and government branches and agencies, as well as representatives of African nations and the African Union.
“The conference is a combination of our U.S. AFRICOM C4 systems and intel directorate,” said Ferrell. “We come together annually to bring the team together to work on common goals to work on throughout the year. The team consists of our coalition partners as well as our inter-agency partners, as well as our components and U.S. AFRICOM staff.”
The conference focused on updates from participants, and on assessing the present state and goals of coalition partners in Africa, he said.
“The theme for our conference is ‘Delivering Capabilities to a Joint Information Environment,’ and we see it as a joint and combined team ... working together, side by side, to promote peace and stability there on the African continent,” Ferrell said.
Three goals of this year’s conference were to strengthen the team, assess priorities across the board, and get a better fix on the impact that the establishment of the U.S. Cyber Command will have on all members’ efforts in the future, he said.
“With the stand-up of U.S. Cyber Command, it brings a lot of unique challenges that we as a team need to talk through to ensure that our information is protected at all times,” Ferrell said.
African Union (AU) representatives from four broad geographic regions of Africa attended, which generated a holistic perspective on needs and requirements from across the continent, he said.
“We have members from the African Union headquarters that is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; we have members that are from Uganda; from Zambia; from Ghana; and also from the Congo. What are the gaps, what are the things that we kind of need to assist with as we move forward on our engagements on the African continent?” Ferrell said.
U.S. Army Africa Commander, Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg, welcomed participants as the conference got under way.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be the host for this conference, and we hope that this week you get a whole lot out of it,” said Hogg.
He took the opportunity to address the participants not only as their host, but from the perspective of a customer whose missions depend on the results of their efforts to support commanders in the field.
“When we’re talking about this group of folks that are here — from the joint side, from our African partners, from State, all those folks — it’s about partnership and interoperability. And every commander who’s ever had to fight in a combined environment understands that interoperability is the thing that absolutely slaps you upside the head,” Hogg said.
“We’re in the early stages of the process here of working with the African Union and the other partners, and you have an opportunity to design this from the end state, versus just building a bunch of ‘gunkulators.’ And so, the message is: think about what the end state is supposed to look like and construct the strategy to support the end state.
“Look at where we want to be at and design it that way,” Hogg said.
He also admonished participants to consider the second- and third-order effects of their choices in designing networks.
“With that said, over the next four days, I hope this conference works very well for you. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay better, please let us know,” Hogg said.
Over the following three days, participants engaged in a steady stream of briefings and presentations focused on systems, missions and updates from the field.
Col. Joseph W. Angyal, director of U.S. Army Africa G-6, gave an overview of operations and issues that focused on fundamentals, the emergence of regional accords as a way forward, and the evolution of a joint network enterprise that would serve all interested parties.
“What we’re trying to do is to work regionally. That’s frankly a challenge, but as we stand up the capability, really for the U.S. government, and work through that, we hope to become more regionally focused,” he said.
He referred to Africa Endeavor, an annual, multi-nation communications exercise, as a test bed for the current state of affairs on the continent, and an aid in itself to future development.
“In order to conduct those exercises, to conduct those security and cooperation events, and to meet contingency missions, we really, from the C4ISR perspective, have five big challenges,” Angyal said.
“You heard General Hogg this morning talk about ‘think about the customer’ — you’ve got to allow me to be able to get access to our data; I’ve got to be able to get to the data where and when I need it; you’ve got to be able to protect it; I have to be able to share it; and then finally, the systems have to be able to work together in order to build that coalition.
“One of the reasons General Ferrell is setting up this joint information enterprise, this joint network enterprise . . . it’s almost like trying to bring together disparate companies or corporations: everyone has their own system, they’ve paid for their own infrastructure, and they have their own policy, even though they support the same major company.
“Now multiply that when you bring in different services, multiply that when you bring in different U.S. government agencies, and then put a layer on top of that with the international partners, and there are lots of policies that are standing in our way.”
The main issue is not a question of technology, he said.
“The boxes are the same — a Cisco router is a Cisco router; Microsoft Exchange server is the same all over the world — but it’s the way that we employ them, and it’s the policies that we apply to it, that really stops us from interoperating, and that’s the challenge we hope to work through with the joint network enterprise.
“And I think that through things like Africa Endeavor and through the joint enterprise network, we’re looking at knocking down some of those policy walls, but at the end of the day they are ours to knock down. Bill Gates did not design a system to work only for the Army or for the Navy — it works for everyone,” Angyal said.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Searyoh, director general of Defense Information Communication Systems, General Headquarters, Ghana Armed Forces, agreed that coordinating policy is fundamental to improving communications with all its implications for a host of operations and missions.
“One would expect that in these modern times there is some kind of mutual engagement, and to build that engagement to be strong, there must be some kind of element of trust. … We have to build some kind of trust to be able to move forward,” said Searyoh.
“Some people may be living in silos of the past, but in the current engagement we need to tell people that we are there with no hidden agenda, no negative hidden agenda, but for the common good of all of us.
“We say that we are in the information age, and I’ve been saying something: that our response should not be optional, but it must be a must, because if you don’t join now, you are going to be left behind.
“So what do we do? We have to get our house in order.
“Why do I say so? We used to operate like this before the information age; now in the information age, how do we operate?
“So, we have to get our house in order and see whether we are aligning ourselves with way things should work now. So, our challenge is to come up with a strategy, see how best we can reorganize our structures, to be able to deliver communications-information systems support for the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
Searyoh related that his organization has already accomplished one part of erecting the necessary foundation by establishing an appropriate policy structure.
“What is required now is the implementing level. Currently we have communications on one side, and computers on one side. The lines are blurred — you cannot operate like that, you’ve got to bring them together,” he said.
Building that merged entity to support deployed forces is what he sees as the primary challenge at present.
“Once you get that done you can talk about equipment, you can talk about resources,” Searyoh said. “I look at the current collaboration between the U.S. and the coalition partners taking a new level.”
“The immediate challenges that we have is the interoperability, which I think is one of the things we are also discussing here, interoperability and integration,” said Lt. Col. Kelvin Silomba, African Union-Zambia, Information Technology expert for the Africa Stand-by Force.
“You know that we’ve got five regions in Africa. All these regions, we need to integrate them and bring them together, so the challenge of interoperability in terms of equipment, you know, different tactical equipment that we use, and also in terms of the language barrier — you know, all these regions in Africa you find that they speak different languages — so to bring them together we need to come up with one standard that will make everybody on board and make everybody able to talk to each other,” he said.
“So we have all these challenges. Other than that also, stemming from the background of these African countries, based on the colonization: some of them were French colonized, some of them were British colonized and so on, so you find that when they come up now we’ve adopted some of the procedures based on our former colonial masters, so that is another challenge that is coming on board.”
The partnership with brother African states, with the U.S. government and its military branches, and with other interested collaborators has had a positive influence, said Silomba.
“Oh, it’s great. From the time that I got engaged with U.S. AFRICOM — I started with Africa Endeavor, before I even came to the AU — it is my experience that it is something very, very good.
“I would encourage — I know that there are some member states — I would encourage that all those member states they come on board, all of these regional organizations, that they come on board and support the AFRICOM lead. It is something that is very, very good.
“As for example, the African Union has a lot of support that’s been coming in, technical as well as in terms of knowledge and equipment. So it’s great; it’s good and it’s great,” said Salimba.
Other participant responses to the conference were positive as well.
“The feedback I’ve gotten from every member is that they now know what the red carpet treatment looks like, because USARAF has gone over and above board to make sure the environment, the atmosphere and the actual engagements … are executed to perfection,” said Ferrell. “It’s been very good from a team-building aspect.
“We’ve had very good discussions from members of the African Union, who gave us a very good understanding of the operations that are taking place in the area of Somalia, the challenges with communications, and laid out the gaps and desires of where they see that the U.S. and other coalition partners can kind of improve the capacity there in that area of responsibility.
“We also talked about the AU, as they are expanding their reach to all of the five regions, of how can they have that interoperability and connectivity to each of the regions,” Ferrell said.
“(It’s been) a wealth of knowledge and experts that are here to share in terms of how we can move forward with building capacities and capabilities. Not only for U.S. interests, but more importantly from my perspective, in building capacities and capabilities for our African partners beginning with the Commission at the African Union itself,” said Kevin Warthon, U.S. State Department, peace and security adviser to the African Union.
“I think that General Ferrell has done an absolutely wonderful thing by inviting key African partners to participate in this event so they can share their personal experience from a national, regional and continental perspective,” he said.
Warthon related from his personal experience a vignette of African trust in Providence that he believed carries a pertinent metaphor and message to everyone attending the conference.
“We are not sure what we are going to do tomorrow, but the one thing that I am sure of is that we are able to do something. Don’t know when, don’t know how, but as long as our focus is on our ability to assist and to help to progress a people, that’s really what counts more than anything else,” he said.
“Don’t worry about the timetable; just focus on your ability to make a difference and that’s what that really is all about.
“I see venues such as this as opportunities to make what seems to be the impossible become possible. … This is what this kind of venue does for our African partners.
“We’re doing a wonderful job at building relationships, because that’s where it begins — we have to build relationships to establish trust. That’s why this is so important: building trust through relationships so that we can move forward in the future,” Warthon said.
Conference members took a cultural tour of Venice and visited a traditional winery in the hills above Vicenza before adjourning.
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Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division call cadance as they march through the streets of old Riga as part of the Latvia Day parade that took place November 18, 2014 to mark the country's 96th year of independence. The Latvian national holiday treated spectators to Latvian, U.S. and other NATO allied soldiers performing a pass and review for the Latvian President, Andris Bērziņš, and a march to the Freedom Monument in Riga. The U.S. soldiers participated in the event as part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, strengthen relationships among allied militaries, contribute to regional stability and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy J. Fowler)
170808-N-OX430-099 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2017) The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) transits alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, Aug. 8. Saxon Warrior is a United States and United Kingdom co-hosted carrier strike group exercise that demonstrates interoperability and capability to respond to crises and deter potential threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Gaither/Released)
McEntire Joint National Guard Base, home of the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing, co-hosts nighttime arming and refueling training during Exercise Agile Lion, Jan. 14, 2020. Multi-functional Airmen and F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., execute integrated combat turns during the exercise. This training simulates mobile command and control which enables joint interoperability. A C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft from the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., assists in the prepositioning of support personnel, equipment and fuel needed to support the fleet of F-15s participating in the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stephen Hudson, 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
A Latvian Army soldier moves to his next fighting position during exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 23, 2015. Saber Junction 15 prepares NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive, and stability operations and promotes interoperability among participants. Saber Junction 15 has more than 4,700 participants from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. More at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction. (U.S. Army photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger/Released)
A U.S. Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force provides security during maritime interoperability training in San Diego Bay Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills and teaching them techniques for boarding vessels. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jamean Berry/Released)
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division interact with role players during a situational training exercise in Western Accord 14, June 24. Western Accord 14 is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored, U.S. Army Africa-hosted annual joint training and partnership exercise between the U.S. and Economic Community of West Africa States, which is designed to increase interoperability between military forces and ensure the common ability to conduct peace operations throughout Western Africa. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Sgt. William Gore)
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany --The United Kingdom’s 3rd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment fires a 5-11 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle at Grafenwoehr Training Area’s calibration range, Oct. 13. Forces from the United Kingdom are participating among 19 multinational nations training during Saber Junction 2012. U.S. Army Europe's exercise Saber Junction features the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, who trains with 1800 multinational partners from 18 nations ensuring interoperability and an agile, ready coalition force. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Franklin R. Moore)
As part of Exercise Saber Junction 14, Bulgarian soldiers attacked and cleared a village against opposing forces of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment Soldiers Aug. 30 at Hohenfels Training Area. Exercise Saber Junction 2014 includes participants from the U.S., NATO allies and European security partners, conducting unified land operations at the 7th Army's Joint Multinational Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area. The exercise trains units in the simultaneous combination of offensive, defensive and stability operations while improving international interoperability, commitment to NATO and allied nations and strategic access to critical areas within the European Command's area of responsibility. More information about Saber Junction 2014 can be found at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction/ (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christina Dion/Released)
U.S. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment plan out concealment locations while on a scouting mission during exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 14, 2015. Saber Junction 15 prepares NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive, and stability operations and promotes interoperability among participants. Saber Junction 15 has more than 4,700 participants from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, and the U.S. More at www.eur.army.mil/SaberJunction. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Cress Jr./Released)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- Members of Ghost Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment wait for the order to assault the village of Duzdag here Oct. 13. The mission is part of U.S. Army Europe's exercise Saber Junction trains U.S. personnel and more than 1800 multinational partners from 18 different nations ensuring multinational interoperability and an agile, ready coalition force. (U.S. Army Europe photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Salgado)