ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire - A team of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the U.S. Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) delivered essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the 4th Infantry Battalion Hospital in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, as part of a civil-military cooperation mission.
These deliveries took place during the week of March 18, 2024, in an effort to enhance the Ivorian military's capacity for civil-military operations, while also building lasting partnerships and trust with local communities.
"As Army Reserve Soldiers, we bring a diverse range of professional backgrounds to our deployments," explains U.S. Army Capt. Justin Dwight, the team chief. "These civilian-acquired abilities are vital assets when working toward civil-military cooperation."
During the week, Dwight's team conducted engagements across Korhogo and Bouaké focused on improving how the Ivorian forces plan and execute civil-military operations. But just as critically, they provided tangible support through donated gear and supplies.
"Delivering this PPE underscores our holistic approach to enhancing security," says U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Painter, civil affairs team sergeant. "This is part of a larger effort to be a partner of choice for the Ivorian military."
Back home, these Soldiers routinely balance civilian careers with training one weekend per month. However, when deployed to Africa, they apply those diverse experiences to build trust and deepen partnerships.
"Our engagements aim to strengthen the bond between the Ivorian military and local citizens," said Dwight. "That mutual trust lays the foundation for lasting peace."
About SETAF-AF
SETAF-AF serves as a dedicated headquarters under U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa, coordinating Army activities across Africa to provide scalable crisis response options.
For further details on SETAF-AF's activities, please visit www.setaf-africa.army.mil.
Date Taken: | 03.18.2024 |
Date Posted: | 05.10.2024 04:24 |
Story ID: | 469945 |
Location: | ABIDJAN, CI |
Hometown: | FORT STORY, VIRGINIA, US |
Web Views: | 116 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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