CJTF-HOA assists Ugandan peacekeeping force deployment

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – A three-member Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa assessment team traveled to Uganda recently to help the Ugandan People’s Defense Force deploy a contingent to Somalia for a peacekeeping mission.

The CJTF-HOA team of U. S. Marine Corps Maj. Phillip Frietze and U. S. Army Majors Gary Grubb and Thomas L. Waild went to the East Africa nation at the request of Steven Browning, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, to assess and assist the UPDF with planning and deploying to Somalia as the primary peacekeeping force for the African Union.

Success of this mission is important to the AU’s Peace Keeping Force because it would allow the redeployment of the Ethiopian National Defense Force that is currently operating in Somalia after helping Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government remove the Council of Islamic Courts that seized control of large parts of the war torn country in 2006.

“Working with members of the planning staff was a wonderful experience. The professionalism and commitment to mission accomplishment was evident throughout our planning and execution phase of the operation”, said Maj. Frietze.

African Union Army Maj. Godwin maps out recent changes in the logistic plan to some of his men.

Once the team arrived on the ground, they quickly overcame small challenges of living conditions and language barriers to begin mission planning and preparations for the 1,600 PKF, comprised of various infantry, engineer, medical and air defense units. The UPDF, commanded by Maj. Gen. Levi Katunga, tasked UPDF Col. Peter Elwelu as the ground forces commander while in Somalia. The force consists of members of units who are highly trained and specially selected for the PKF mission.

UPDF planning staff and the CJTF-HOA team worked long hours to find the best solution to set the deploying unit’s organizational structure. The task at had was to ensure the unit’s equipment and personnel arrived fully capable to conduct their peacekeeping mission in any operational phase. Planning large movements of personnel and equipment by air, rail and sea is a difficult task that is subject to delays due to weather and terrain.

A member of the Ugandan Peoples Peacekeeping Force directs the loading of a combat vehicle onto an aircraft.

Given the high level of planning and teamwork between the UPDF leadership and the CJTF-HOA team, the unit was able to deploy to Somalia on time and begin their peacekeeping mission.

Teamwork and cooperation are the driving factors that make mission accomplishment in the Horn of Africa a success. Because of the UPDF and CJTF-HOA team’s efforts, the local people in Somalia will benefit from everyone’s hard work.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Story by U.S. Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson CJTF-HOA