9BEB intel officer provides oversight for WA16 camp security

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso -- Concertina wire, weapons mounts and dedicated Burkina Faso Armed Forces surround Camp Zagre for this year's Western Accord 16 exercise. Even though participants are not in a combat zone, the host nation's security unit stands ready to protect those inside the wire training to enhance security of the West African region at an operational level.

U.S. Army Capt. Vanesa Mena Fernandez, antiterrorism/force protection officer in charge with 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, provides a guiding oversight for the Burkinabe soldiers. This includes guard force around the camp and entry control point, quick reaction force, and transportation security through the city provided by the Gendarmerie, a paramilitary group.

"We work very closely with their officers, warrants and [noncommissioned officers] that are out here," Mena Fernandez said. "Prior to doing anything, we talk to them and just make recommendations. We're not in any type of lead role; it's really a partner-building relationship."

Mena Fernandez's AT/FP section, with U.S. Army Africa's lead AT/FP planner, Tony Hardy, helped the force protection forces coordinate battle drills that test the troops' ability to react as a team during various high-stress scenarios.

"On the 28th of April, we conducted our first force protection exercise and that entailed access control procedures, understanding proper weapons handling and security measures," Hardy said. "[They] exercised some of the most likely and most dangerous courses of action, whether that be a small arms attack or a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device."

Other scenarios included handling a hostage situation, responding to a missing person and performing a medical evacuation.

"Through these exercises, they improve their knowledge," said Lt. Sunemane Zango, Burkina Faso Armed Forces commander of the camp's security unit. "It is very beneficial for us because it is an opportunity for us to learn many things about the [other organizations]."

The Burkinabe forces impressed both their leadership and their overseers with confidence, teamwork and skill.

"They're very hard working, don't quit. They're very aggressive," Mena Fernandez said. "It's a good feeling to see how they run through their battle drills. It was very reassuring."

Mena Fernandez is an intelligence officer by trade performing AT/FP for the first time. She applied her intel experience conducting threat analysis during the planning phase and throughout the exercise.

"It does help, understanding the threat," Mena Fernandez said. "Tony and I have been working very well together because I'm kind of used to seeing things from a different side."

"It's been pretty interesting so far," she continued. "I'm enjoying every second of it."

In addition to assessing security threats, Mena Fernandez has successfully fostered a growing partnership between the host nation forces and U.S. representatives over the past four months, which streamlines AT/FP coordination across organizations.

"She has created a great relationship with the Burkinabes and U.S. Army Africa to ensure our environment is secure and reactive to an always changing environment and making changes to adapt to that environment," said Lt. Col. Michael Biankowski, 9th BEB commander.

"Those relationships ensure that we all have that good coordinating piece and we're all working together," Mena Fernandez said. "Just seeing that cohesion between everyone is very beneficial, not just for Western Accord, but every accord."

Western Accord 16 is the first of four accord series exercises 2nd IBCT is scheduled to participate in this summer as the Regionally Aligned Force brigade for U.S. Army Africa. The procedures and processes Mena Fernandez's team applied during this exercise will set the framework for those that follow.