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U.S. Military, African Allies Deliver Humanitarian Aid

18 August 2006

Exercise to help Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda improve crisis response ability

By David McKeeby
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington – The United States military is partnering with members of the East African Community (EAC) to deliver medical assistance and humanitarian aid as part of “Natural Fire 2006,” a 10-day multilateral military exercise.

The mid-August exercise, the first to be conducted between the United States and EAC since 2000, focuses on military-to-military coordination, crisis response training and humanitarian aid delivery.  Kenyan army Brigadier General Leonard Ngondi will command forces participating in the exercise, supported by a joint military staff comprised of Kenyan, Tanzanian, Ugandan and U.S. officers.

“The objective of Natural Fire is to enhance crisis response effectiveness through increased interoperability between each of the EAC nations and the United States,” said Rear Admiral Richard Hunt, head of the U.S. Central Command’s Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.

Unlike many military exercises, where forces simulate their response to a fictional scenario, Natural Fire 2006 not only will help the region improve its ability to respond to humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and other emergencies. It also will help rural African communities in need. 

In joint operations across in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, approximately 1,000 military personnel will provide medical care for rural communities, veterinary assistance for village livestock and engineering support to help area residents repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure.

In Soroti, Uganda, on August 13, some 40 U.S. military medics worked with their counterparts from the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to deliver medical care to 1,200 area residents.

“I am very impressed by the cooperation, professionalism and knowledge of the Ugandan medics,” said Major Jose Cabrera, a physician with the U.S. Air National Guard.  “Without them, it would have been impossible to facilitate this project.”

“We are so grateful that we are receiving free treatment,” said Emitu Nathan, a local schoolteacher.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marine Corps engineers from the 6th Engineering Support Battalion are working with the UPDF on multiple construction projects to renovate the local medical clinic, including structural repairs to the children’s ward, the nurses and nuns residence and the kitchen.

“This has been a great opportunity to partner with the UPDF,” said U.S. Marine Corps Major Mark Gerhard, commanding officer of 6th Engineering Support Battalion, Uganda Detachment.  “We’ve not only had the chance to share our techniques with their engineers, but they have shown us some basic fundamentals and efficient ways of getting the job done.”

“The people here are very happy to see the Americans working here with the UPDF,” added Nathan.  “This is a true a sign of unity.  The people here used to be afraid of the military but now they see that they are very friendly.”

In Nginyang, Kenya, on August 16, nearly 800 people from surrounding communities traveled for miles to receive medical treatment.  Local health care providers said the health center usually serves an average of only 20 patients per week.

“The people travel long distances to receive a little bit of help,” said U.S. Air Force Major Dai Tran, a physician and civil action team leader. “My team is happy to be here and very happy to help as many people as we can.”

“Medicine is not always available for people in this area,” said John Kaladwo, a Nginyang villager. “We see this exercise as a gift from above.”

Another Nginyang villager, Lokasa Samut, agreed.  “We are very much happy about the way you worked together. We see this as good assistance and something not to be forgotten.”

“Natural Fire is an excellent opportunity to build personal relationships, work together as a team and to help enhance the capacity of the EAC nations,” said Hunt.

A photo essay featuring images from Exercise Natural Fire 2006 is available on the U.S. Department of Defense Web site.

For more information, see Africa and International Security.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)