African Partnership Flight program tackles medical readiness in big way

by Master Sgt. Jess D. Harvey
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

9/15/2015 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A small program in the United States Africa Command and Air Forces Africa is making a huge impact on the African continent.

The program is the African Partnership Flight and it is AFRICOM's premiere program to bring together partner nations to increase cooperation and interoperability, which fosters stability and security throughout the continent.

This year's 4-day conference, which concluded Aug. 28, was focused solely on military medical support invited senior medical officials from various countries on the continent to participate in a conference here at Ramstein. Countries such as Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, Senegal and Uganda were represented.

"This [conference] is the AFAFRICA Surgeon General's attempt to bring together the surgeon generals from our partners in Africa to help us understand their capabilities, needs and gaps with regards to supporting their [African Union] and UN peacekeeping efforts," said Maj. Gen. Gretchen S. Dunkelberger, Air National Guard Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General, United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.

The 55 participants spent the four days discussing all things medical, from training opportunities that are available and capabilities each country has to how to they could work together to provide proper care to peacekeepers throughout the continent.
"The APF is about strengthening partnerships within Africa," said Col. Ben EB Karenzi, Commandant of Rwanda Military Hospital. "Especially peacekeeping operations and care for military members."

This is the third APF conference, with the first one in 2012. But this is the first one that has been focused on bringing together the senior Surgeon General staff members.  The senior leaders in attendance were from both the U.S. and from partner nations in Africa.

It was essential that the military medical professionals from across the continent were brought together for this conference, according to Navy Capt. Roland Powers, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn Of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Surgeon General, Djibouti.
"Because of the large distances between all of the different surgeons general on the continent, it's nearly impossible for everyone to discuss problems face to face," said Powers. "This event affords them that opportunity share objectives and problems all in the same room."

But, not only is the continent huge, but the militaries across it are extremely engaged right now.

"Today, Africa is enormously involved in peacekeeping operations," said Col. Debela Achamyelesh, Medical Planner at the African Union Peace and Security Department.  "There are around 16 peacekeeping operations going on in the world today - Nine of those are in Africa. This conference is designed to help African medics rapidly respond in peacekeeping operations and to deliver timely and standard medical care to our peacekeepers."

This forum brought us together and gave us the opportunity to discuss everything with our African partners, said Achamyelesh. "It allowed us to discuss where we want to be five years from now."

Part of that five year plan the conference members agreed upon was how to standardize military medical training.

"Within the next five years, we should have an institutionalized framework where all member states in the African Union should have standardized training, said Karenzi. "So, when the African Union calls for peacekeepers, they can all provide the same level of support. But we can only achieve that through these types of partnerships."

All of the participants gained a lot of valuable information and a way forward, according to Brig. Gen. Arrum Christopher, Chief of Medical Services, Kenya.
"I am very grateful that we were able to participate in this conference. It's a very important conference. We've made new contacts with out African partners and also forged the way forward in filling some of the gaps we've had in the peace architecture in East Africa."

Africa Alumni Return to NWC for Regional Symposium

By Daniel L. Kuester, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Eighty-two representatives, many graduates of U.S. Naval War College (NWC), from 25 nations and the African Union attended the 12th Regional Alumni Symposium - Africa at NWC, Aug. 25-27, as part of the school's continuing education program.

Over three days, the group discussed defense, maritime domain, migration, humanitarian assistance and other topics important to the African continent.

The event, titled "Enhancing Regional Maritime Security," was co-hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S. 6th Fleet, and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command.

Thomas Mangold, dean of international programs at the school and organizer of the event, says the symposium was both a continuing education effort for graduates and a way to build relationships for the nations involved.

"This is an effort to continue the professional military education long after they leave here," said Mangold. "This was a way to reach out to make sure our international alumni are getting current information. The second thing the symposium does is help network and build relationships. And not just with the U.S., although that is very important, but also with each other so they can work together and start building relationships, friendships and eventually trust between their countries."

Keynote speaker for the symposium, Amanda Dory, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, gave an address titled "Africa's Strategic Importance; a U.S. Department of Defense Perspective."

"In terms of African security," Dory said after her presentation, "the maritime domain is fundamental to economic prosperity for Africa. Whether it is getting products or innovation out and in [Africa], it is important to have all these leaders here in Newport renewing their acquaintance with one another and with the U.S."

The subjects addressed at the symposium are relevant to this vital area, according to Mangold.

"Topics are chosen because they are important in the region and also to the world," he said. "Migration, for instance, is one of the most important topics in the world. We have top experts here to help understand the issue. We also had a session focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response with the doctor who arranged the American relief effort during the Ebola crisis.

Vice Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Rear Adm. Thomas Reck noted that in the long term, the NWC affiliation also benefits international relations.

"You can see the importance that these individual nations place on the education they receive here," said Reck. "And then to actually gain those friendships and incubate those partnerships over the years until it gets to the point that these graduates are now heads of navy for their countries."

Reck, a NWC graduate himself, pointed out that these relationships are vital to what he called "the global network of navies."

"It is always important to anchor back on those relationships, and keep that trust built so it will be strong when the next generation of leadership comes along," he added.

Mangold said the global network of high-ranking navy officers is something NWC takes seriously.

"It's important for the Naval War College because we have over 40 heads of navies from around the world who have graduated from here," said Mangold. "We are a leading educator. We have this event here because we are one of the few institutions who could do it."

One of the attendees, Cmdr. Abdellah Benhamou, director of the Royal Moroccan Naval Academy, said that NWC is the best place and the right environment for this symposium.

"It is the kind of environment [at NWC] that you know beforehand that it is going to be productive," said Benhamou. "[The conversation] is going be free from political constraints that keep you from discussing matters frankly and asking the right questions."

"What this symposium does is offer attendees a chance to meet, talk about issues that are important, offer shared experience and perspective. That all makes them more trustful of each other," Mangold added. "All navies need to work together. One of the best outcomes from this event is that our graduates call their other alumni when they have issues."

As host of the event, Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III, president, NWC, stressed that building and maintaining relationships is vitally important in an increasingly unstable world.

"The operational environment is more volatile, more uncertain, more ambiguous and more dynamic than ever before," said Howe. "How are we, as military professionals, to deal with such an environment? I would offer that the answer lies in a commitment to continuing professional education and by nurturing meaningful relationships with friends and allies."

NWC is a one-year resident program that graduates about 600 students and about 1,000 distance learning students a year carrying out four missions: educate and develop leaders, help define the future of the Navy, support combat readiness, and strengthen maritime partnerships. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today's active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.