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Hurso Ethiopia Training

USMC News

Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story Identification Number: 20037944846
Story by Maj. Steve Cox

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (July 9, 2003) -- Forces from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa have begun a three-month bilateral training exercise with Ethiopian National Defense Forces at the Hurso Training Camp, northwest of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

Infantry forces from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, currently assigned to CJTF-HOA, are providing infantry skills training on small unit tactics. U.S. soldiers are also addressing skills necessary for both anti and counter-terrorism missions with members of the 12th Division of the Ethiopian Army as part of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Ethiopia effort to establish the first of three new Anti-terrorism Battalions.

CJTF-HOA forces will conduct three, four-week long training packages with Ethiopian troops, training one company from the new Anti-terrorism Battalion during each 30-day session. The first week's training will focus on infantry weapons marksmanship, while weeks two through four will hone skills needed for small unit movement in a variety of environments, small unit engagement tactics and reconnaissance and patrolling techniques respectively.

In Legedadi, Ethiopia from April 12-25, under the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program, CJTF-HOA provided instruction to nearly 900 Ethiopian soldiers in vehicle and personnel checkpoint operations, convoy operations, mine detection and casualty treatment. Like the ACOTA program, CJTF training with Anti-terrorism Battalion forces is based on the principle of training the trainer so Ethiopian forces can tailor future training needs to mission requirements.

CJTF-HOA forces have also worked with other host nation forces in Djibouti, Kenya and Yemen on a variety of tactics, techniques and procedures geared toward the needs their militaries. Training and operations have spanned maritime issues such as coastal security and small craft operations and patrolling, and included land-based activities such as military operations in urban terrain, land navigation and facilities defense.

In addition to infantry skills training with Ethiopian forces at Hurso, CJTF-HOA forces from the U.S Army's 478th Civil Affairs Battalion will also be in Ethiopia to assess and conduct initial coordination for a variety of civil-military operations in and around Dire Dawa, Galadi and Dolo Odo among other areas. CJTF representatives will meet with local leaders to determine needs and design plans that best meet the needs of Ethiopians in the local area.

To date, CJTF-HOA forces have completed five Medical Civil Action Programs in Djibouti, treating more than 1,000 locals across the country for a wide variety of ailments, as well as providing medical and dental preventive care instruction. CJTF forces also sponsored a Veterinary Civil Action Program in Djibouti, treating hundreds of local animals, which serve as a lifeline for many local villagers and herders.

CJTF-HOA intends to continue working with nations engaged in the Global War on Terrorism, understanding that the impact of terrorist activity and the methods to best address such activities may be distinctly different throughout the Horn of Africa region. In some cases, training host nation military forces provides one source for solution. In other cases, humanitarian assistance may best address individual country needs. In any case, CJTF-HOA intends to provide counter-terrorism support to all partner nations in the fight against terrorism.

Based at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, the principal mission of CJTF-HOA is to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa region. The CJTF is also engaged in supporting coalition partner efforts to deny the opportunity for reemergence of terrorist networks, thereby contributing to long-term stability for the region.

The 1,800-member CJTF, comprised of personnel from all branches of the U.S. armed forces, civilian representatives and coalition liaison officers, was formed to oversee operations in the Horn of Africa for U.S. Central Command in support of the Global War on Terrorism. For its counter-terrorism mission, CJTF-HOA defines the Horn of Africa region as the airspace, land areas and coastal waters of Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Yemen.