Exercise Justified Accord: Showcasing fast jets, firepower and our allies in Africa
At H-Hour, a breaching force from the Tanzanian army bursts from the African undergrowth in the shadow of Mount Kenya.
The soldiers clear a path through barbed wire. 173rd Airborne Brigade and a unit from the US National Guard delivers rapid fire from the flank, as two Kenyan and Somalian assault platoons clear the target. Helicopters circle overhead and two Kenyan F-5 fighter jets buzz the tower.
This was the scenario on the final day of Exercise Justified Accord – when exercising troops showed off their new skills to an audience of international military VIPs.
Justified Accord is the United States' largest annual military activity in East Africa. Hosted this year by Kenya, Tanzania and Djibouti, the $6.5m exercise involved 1,300 troops and 15 countries.
An important part of this year's training has been air-to-ground integration operations – where partner nations have controlled Kenyan air assets – namely their F-5 fighter jets, Cessna 208 armed reconnaissance aircraft and MD-530 helicopters.
Members of 3 Rifles took part in the exercise – sharing skills in urban operations with Kenyan, Somali and Tanzanian troops.
They spent six days alternating between drills and tactical scenarios.
"It's been really rewarding," Serjeant Major Marty Galdes of B Company told Forces News.
"They're a really friendly bunch. Down in the village where we all live it's a mixed bag of nations – all playing football, training, running - the Kenyans much better than us at running at the minute!"
"It's like 14 days of fun," said 1st Lieutenant Hassan of the Danab Brigade in the Somali National Army.
"The men are doing great – we are adapting to the cold!” It's 27 degrees in Kenya and The Rifles are fighting sunburn!"
While 3 Rifles shared their soldiering drills, the partner nations bring real conflict experience.
"This exercise is really important," said 1Lt Hassan.
"We have international terrorists in our country. So if we share information, we stand together, Africa will be great and the world will be great!"
The aim of training with African partners is of course to help African nations prevent terrorism at source – before it spreads beyond its borders and makes its way to the US, Europe and the UK.
"We want to help Africans solve African problems – to try and help reduce the conflict which impacts us down the line," explained Brigadier Oli Bryant, the UK Defence Adviser in Kenya and head of British Defence Staff for East Africa.
While Kenya remains stable, there's a lot of instability in the surrounding countries.
"If we look at business investment, it's pretty much stopped in Ethiopia, there's very little in Somalia, none in South Sudan, and Rwanda, Burundi and the Eastern Congo are flaring up at the moment."
The Kenyan military is currently focused on counter-terrorism against Al Shabab in Somalia. Following Justified Accord, their soldiers will head straight for deployment along the Somali border.
The message is very much – we cannot forget Africa.
"The expectation that the West need to do everything for this region is wrong. The Kenyans in particular can solve their security problems themselves," said Brig Bryant.
"They want investment from the West – whether military or economic. There's lots of projects happening that are in support of their desires - rather than UK pushing our desires on them."
Brothers and sisters in arms
One such project is CITSO – where much of the training for Justified Accord is taking place.
CITSO stands for the Counter Insurgency, Counter Terrorism and Stabilisation Operations Training Centre. It's a multimillion-pound venture between Kenya, the US and the UK.
The UK provided the urban operations facility and will soon begin work on a headquarters and medical centre.
The Kenyan build is almost complete – consisting of accommodation and dining facilities, and the US has created an auditorium and training wing.
As with all exercises, it's not just about sharing skills, but forging friendships.
"It's just fantastic teamwork. Military relationships are critical going forward, and what you see here is three weeks of shared hardship and relationships that will endure for quite some time," said Colonel Drew Conover, the director of Justified Accord 2025.
"These partners are very capable. And they're very impressive."
"We call them shemeji," said Lieutenant Mohammed Rashid of the Tanzania People's Defence Force.
"You know shimeji? It means brother or sister-in-law."
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