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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti– Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade and the Djiboutian Battalion Intervention Rapide (BIR) strengthened their enduring partnership during a field training exercise at Justified Accord 2025 (JA25), held Feb. 10-12 2025 at the Arta Range Complex, Djibouti.
The Battalion Intervention Rapide (BIR), a frequent participant in Justified Accord, applied lessons learned from previous exercises to improve readiness and collaboration to assess crisis response capabilities and exchange military-to-military knowledge sharing.
Exercise JA25 serves as a platform for U.S. and African partners to improve military cooperation, ensuring both forces can operate cohesively in complex environments. Combined field training exercises is one-way CJTF-HOA supports host nation partners. The bilateral training provides an invaluable opportunity for Djibouti and U.S. forces to work side by side in realistic, tactical scenarios.
For the BIR, this experience strengthens their capabilities and enhances their tactical proficiency. The ability to resupply troops and maintain defensive positions is crucial for any force operating in hostile environments, making these skills indispensable.
“This is going to help the BIR’s ability to resupply their troops, attack an enemy's base position, and defend a company position from an enemy attack,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Samuel Siciliano, 2nd SFAB fires advisor.
U.S. Army Maj. Walter Brown, 2nd SFAB advisor team officer, said the partnership between the Djiboutians and U.S. was evident with the integration between the BIR and SFAB.
“SFAB has a unique relationship with our partners,” said Brown. “We assist, support, liaise and advise our partner nations in a variety of tasks depending on their requirements and our own capabilities.”
Working with the BIR is an enriching experience for U.S. forces as well. The relationship is mutually beneficial, with both sides learning from one another, sharing expertise, and growing stronger together.
"It’s not a one-way give or take," said Siciliano. "We both have a lot to offer each other, and strengthening those bonds through exercises like this is really important. We work with them, and they work with us, making our partnership even more effective."
Further underscoring the significance of the exercise, U.S. Embassy Djibouti Ambassador Cynthia Kierscht visited the Arta Range Complex to observe the field training firsthand. Her presence emphasized the United States’ continued commitment to its security partnership with Djibouti, reinforcing the importance of military cooperation in promoting regional stability.
The success of the BIR-SFAB collaboration at JA25, along with the support and engagement from U.S. diplomatic leadership, underscores the importance of sustained military partnerships in East Africa. Through continued engagement and training, the U.S. and Djiboutian forces reaffirm their commitment to security, stability, and cooperation in the region.
JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and hosted in Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25
integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations.
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2025 09:15 |
| Story ID: | 490932 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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