CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – South Dakota National Guard soldiers assigned to the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), are deployed to Camp Lemonnier, as the core staff for Combined Joint Task force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). This is the first time in the history of CJTF-HOA that the staff has been made up of primarily one unit.
“The 196th MEB is the nucleus of Combined Joint Task force – Horn of Africa,” said Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, CJTF – HOA. “Their mission is to support U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and forces here in East Africa.
director of operations talks with French partners at Timbuktu, Mali. This exercise allowed CJTF-HOA to exercise its ability
to travel to West Africa in the event of a crisis. (Courtesy Photo)
AFRICOM’s mission is to counter transnational threats and malign actors, strengthen security forces, and respond to crises in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
“The 196th MEB’s mobilization marks a pivotal moment for strategic, operational and tactical operations under AFRICOM,” said Col. William Robertson, director of logistics, CJTF-HOA.
According to Robertson, “In short, the CJTF-HOA staff now has ‘unit integrity’ which enables unity of effort and unity of support. Communication in any organization is critical and the innate, internal dynamics of the 196th MEB increased staff continuity and communication exponentially.”
The mission that the MEB has in East Africa is a unique and complex one, spread out across the entire region.
“As the principle sourcing for the entire HOA staff, the 196th MEB owns the CJTF-HOA mission to respond to crises, ensure strategic access and influence in Djibouti, support operations in Somalia, and serve as the senior command of the Djibouti Base Cluster,” said Robertson. “How well this mission is executed determines the U.S. and its partners overall objective as the partner of choice for Djibouti.”
A major shift in U.S policy happened late in 2020 when the repositioning of all troops from Somalia was ordered by the Trump administration. A large portion of the mission fell upon CJTF-HOA to complete in support Special Operations Command Africa.
The 196th MEB has been at the center of everything strategic that is occurring in East Africa. If they were not executing it, they were planning it.
The crisis planning team conducted site surveys in several different countries including Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. Making sure that if the EARF had to deploy to these areas they had a clear picture of what it would be like.
Partnerships in East Africa is a priority and the MEB had continually fostered good relationships between the U.S. and its allies in the region.
There have been several exercises with the French, Italians, and Japanese including casualty evacuation, artillery demonstrations, emergency response planning and cyber-defense.
“The 196th has accomplished so many missions here that should make everyone at home proud of their service member,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Meyer, senior enlisted leader, 196th MEB. “Not only does their day to day work impact people on this continent but it builds a foundation of trust and improvement for the follow-on units to continue strengthening.”
Meyer added, “Everything that has been asked of them they have accomplished at an extremely high level. It is amazing to see your soldier work tirelessly to accomplish any mission put before them. They work long days as a team to benefit the African people and other service members and they do it without complaint and with little recognition. “
He continued, “Your soldier is selfless and dedicated to others and they represent South Dakota and their families extremely well. The 196th MEB has left its mark and South Dakota’s mark on CJTF-HOA and East Africa.”
South Dakota soldiers shared a variety of South Dakota culture with the non-South Dakota members of CJTF-HOA.
“I knew absolutely nothing about South Dakota before encountering the 196th MEB. I’m still puzzling over tomato beer, jackelopes, scotcheroos and so much more, that I’ll have to visit and see for myself (in the summer, though!),” joked Col Deitra Trotter, director of intelligence, CJTF-HOA. “The 196th MEB has brought boundless energy, enthusiasm, team spirit, willingness to learn, grow, and improve daily and made this headquarters and our mission is exponentially better.”
Maj. Gen Flora added, “The MEB members are doing an excellent job here in support in our national security. As a commander I am very appreciative of their dedication and sacrifice.”
