Building African logistics capability through partnership

By Steve Sandeson, USARFOctober 21, 2009

Building African logistics capability through partnership

What is it'

U.S. Army Africa Soldiers support Africa Deployment Assistance Partnership Team (ADAPT) events on the African continent. ADAPT is a joint tactical deployment training and assistance program coordinated through U.S. Africa Command. The program is designed to enhance African national military deployment capabilities while simultaneously developing greater interoperability with U.S. military forces.

What has U.S. Army Africa done'

This week, ADAPT mentors will be working with Ugandan logisticians in conjunction with the multi-national exercise Natural Fire 10, a partnership between five East African nations and the U.S. that includes security training and humanitarian assistance projects. When the exercise wraps, ADAPT participants will assist U.S. Army Africa by loading the command's mobile headquarters onto U.S. aircraft for redeployment. In Jan. 2009, U.S. Army Africa Soldiers conducted an ADAPT program in Rwanda that enabled the first Rwandan-led loading of U.N. equipment and supplies onto five U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft., which supported peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

ADAPT has a long-term focus. It is conducted in four phased engagements - roughly one each year, to build partner skills. The program begins with mentoring tactical movements and continues to certification in international force deployment and redeployment techniques. By the fourth year, partner nations undergo a refresher, furthering engagement with U.S. forces.

Why is this important to the Army'

ADAPT is held in the spirit of sincere and enduring collaboration with African allies. U.S. Army Africa logistics experts share their knowledge of loading U.S. Air Force cargo planes and also airplanes more commonly used in Africa, such as the C-130. Such activities add realism to the training. In the long run, African partner nations who take part may integrate ADAPT into their core logistics training. In turn, nations such as Uganda may offer mentors future ADAPT missions in other Africa countries.

Resources:

For more information visit - <a href=" http://www.usaraf.army.mil " target="_blank"> U.S Army Africa Web site</a>

Related article: <a href=" http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/01/16/15910-us-team-providing-deployment-assistance-for-rwandan-defense-force-peacekeepers/ " target="_blank"> U.S. team providing deployment assistance for Rwandan Defense Force peacekeepers</a>