Photo By Sgt. Lark Sine | U.S. service members participate in a discussion about peace and security with members...... read more read more
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CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI — U.S. service members participated in a knowledge exchange with female counterparts from the Djiboutian Coast Guard and Djiboutian Navy during the Sea Sisters exercise. The event took place at Camp Lemonnier and Camp Doraleh from November 4-6, 2024. This collaborative exercise sought to enhance personnel recovery capabilities, improve interoperability, and strengthen relationships between U.S. and partner forces in the Horn of Africa.
Sea Sisters is an integral part of the Bull Shark 25-1 exercise, led by the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. Through the facilitation of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron One and the support of the Women, Peace, and Security program, Sea Sisters highlighted the critical role of women in peace and security efforts. Throughout the event, female service members from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and their Djiboutian counterparts participated in joint maritime training sessions, medical care drills, and cultural exchanges that helped to deepen relationships and mutual understanding.
“On this occasion, I would like to express our deep gratitude to our partners," said Oubah Ismael Aouled, a commandant in the Djiboutian Coast Guard. "This exchange of military skills and camaraderie represents a strong alliance between our two nations. These skills are essential pillars for ensuring the security of our coasts and the protection of our communities.”
On the first day of Sea Sisters, participants practiced team-building exercises at Camp Lemonnier. Djiboutian servicewomen familiarized themselves with small arms such as the M9 pistol, M4 rifle, and the M240B machine gun, followed by interactive training at the Gunfighter Gym—a weapons practice simulator where they could practice shooting a variety of the small arms weapons in realistic target exercises.
“It was a conversation of, hey, this is how we do things; how do you all train?” said U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Sarah Payton, MSRON-1 senior enlisted leader. “It’s facilitating a conversation so that we can possibly get better tactics of our own.”
While the first day set the tone for the exercise and a collaborative environment, the second day of training focused on tier-one Tactical Combat Casualty Care and personnel search techniques. Service members went over critical medical procedures, including hemorrhage control, wound packing, and chest seal placements.
"I love it,” said U.S. Navy HM2 Micaela Wittgow. “It's so cool to get to engage with so many different cultures and see how we all think and operate."
As the day progressed, language barriers faded as the women found common ground through gestures and shared experiences, building trust and communication. While interpreters were available, the emphasis on hands-on learning and mutual respect allowed for connection. Djiboutian service members tried Halal Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) alongside their U.S. counterparts, and some Djiboutian Coast Guard members also shared some of their traditional food, further strengthening the bond between the two groups. In a moment of free time before the end of the day, they performed songs and dances, offering a glimpse into their heritage.
“I enjoy this exercise because it's a good way to get to know these women and a way to build rapport,” said U.S. Army CPT. Heidi Schultz, the human security gender advisor for CJTF-HOA. “Despite the language barrier, you can still enjoy each other. You can still have shared experiences. They were dancing with us yesterday. That was a great way to show that culturally we can still be together even if we're different. And I really appreciate that.”
On the third day, the Djiboutian servicewomen joined MSRON-1 on a boat to exchange maritime personnel recovery techniques, including simulated man-overboard drills. This hands-on training allowed the servicewomen to apply the medical skills they went over the previous day, reinforcing the importance of coordination and preparedness in emergency situations.
“Sea Sisters are critical to maritime security because they bring a unique perspective and capability to engage differently within a population during a crisis or interdiction of a vessel,” said Dr. Selam Alemayo, a gender advisor for CJTF-HOA. "This knowledge exchange not only enhances the skills of the participants but also contributes to the collective security of maritime environments by fostering trust, meaningful participation, and rapport-building between the Djiboutian and U.S. military.”
To conclude the three-day exercise, a multinational discussion on peace and security was held at Camp Doraleh, bringing together service members from Spain, Italy, France, Japan, Djibouti, and the United States. The discussion focused on the role of women in peace-building and security efforts and was facilitated with the help of multiple interpreters, ensuring all participants could share their perspectives.
“The Women’s Multi-National discussion was a great way to incorporate Women, Peace, and Security into Sea Sisters,” said Schultz. “Women from all the various nations present in Djibouti attended. The discussion helped us understand the similar challenges women face in militaries around the world and how impactful our voices can be in encouraging peace and security.”
The group shared personal stories and insights into their military experiences, with a focus on the need for continued collaboration and relationship-building across international boundaries. Sea Sisters concluded with an awards ceremony where all participants were recognized for their commitment to collaboration and excellence in training, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation and partnership in building regional security.
“Throughout Sea Sisters, you engaged in rigorous training which sharpened your tactical skills and deepened our shared understanding and respect of each other's methodologies and capabilities," said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Justin Kubu, the deputy commanding general for CJTF-HOA. “The partnership between Djibouti and the United States military and maritime security forces has helped us to understand and foster greater interoperability and trust, which contributes to a strong maritime security posture in this important region.”
“This certificate is a testament to our commitment to serve and protect with excellence,” said Aouled. “I am eager to see this initiative continue to grow and evolve with future iterations of Sea Sisters to further strengthen our maritime cooperation. Thank you all for your presence, your support, and for securing the future. The peace and security of the sea are ensured by the dedication and skills of our forces.”
Sea Sisters highlights the power of shared learning and cross-cultural cooperation, uniting women from diverse military backgrounds to enhance skills and build lasting relationships essential for regional security. By exchanging knowledge and culture, Sea Sisters empowered participants and strengthened security in the Horn of Africa, continuing to support military and peace-building efforts in the region.
CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests, primarily in the East Africa region. The command is critical to U.S. Africa Command's efforts to build partner capacity to counter violent extremists and address other regional security partnerships. Headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the command works against malign actors to strengthen collective security forces and respond to crises to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2024 08:39 |
| Story ID: | 486548 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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