Photo By Master Sgt. Jennifer Redente | Distinguished guests from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa sit with Tadjoura...... read more read more
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By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
TADJOURA, Djibouti – After completing 70 days of training, 60 Djiboutian national army soldiers graduated from the Able Dart 08-01-Tadjoura Train-the-Trainer Course at the Regiment Inter-Army Tadjoura compound Jan. 21.
Guam National Guard unit 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry (Light), Delta Company, serving under Combined Joint Task Force-Horn facilitated the anti- and counter-terrorism training for Djiboutian soldiers, enabling them to return to their regiments to provide fellow soldiers the same skills.
Specific anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism training Djiboutian soldiers received included tactics and topics of human rights, squad-level defenses, offensive operations, improvised explosive device familiarization, traffic control points and quick reaction forces.
"The training was long and tough, but we are now able to take what we have learned back to our regiments and train other soldiers to be knowledgeable and successful in many areas," said Abdi Amir Djama, a train-the-trainer graduate. "We are happy for what Delta Company has taught us, and I am proud to be able to teach soldiers in my regiment the same skills I have learned."
Combined, the topics served to provide the soldiers with the knowledge and capabilities to deter and repress extremists who wish to establish a foothold within the Tadjoura region.
The 10-week course was designed to build up knowledge that was sequentially taught from week one to week 10. The degree of difficulty was increased throughout the training and was put to the test in a culminating exercise at the end of the course.
During the graduation, the mission commander for the train the trainer course, spoke to the graduates about his observations over the last few months.
"Your willingness to learn, your motivation and your esprit de corps are noteworthy and commendable," said Army Capt. Joseph I. Cruz, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Light, Delta Company commanding officer. "Of course, all this is a true testament to the level of professionalism in your army, which brings credit upon yourself, the Djiboutian national army and the country of Djibouti."
Cruz also expressed that, over the course of the training, the Djiboutian soldiers were not alone in receiving educational insight since November.
"My Soldiers have learned just as much from you as you have from them," Cruz said. "We look forward to working with you again in the future as we continue to strengthen the bond between our countries and defeat terrorism in this region.
"Operation Able Dart was designed with the intent of building the capacity of the Djiboutian army in the necessary security methodologies to increase its ability to monitor and secure the porous borders of this country against those extremists who would attempt to infiltrate and conduct operations against ideologies that would be productive to the welfare of this nation at large," he said. "With the completion of the first two phases here in Tadjoura and Obock, that capacity has been increased."
Gratitude was a universal note to graduates, CJTF-HOA and the Tadjoura community from the distinguished visitors who had an opportunity to address the audience.
"I want to thank the forces stationed here in Djibouti for helping our military forces," said Djiboutian army Brig. Gen. Osman Nour Soubagleh, Djiboutian army East African Standby Brigade commanding general. "I also want to thank the Djiboutian soldiers for their knowledge and going through the difficult training they have just completed. You have become a confident technician in fighting the war against terrorism."
After addressing the audience on the Djiboutian soldiers' accomplishments, the guest speakers shook the hands of each of the graduates as they received their certificates of completion.
A private function was held for the soldiers once the graduation concluded where they celebrated with traditional song and dance.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2008 05:19 |
| Story ID: | 15876 |
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| Web Views: | 244 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
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