US Africa Command's Exercise Justified Accord 2023 begins in Kenya

By Capt. Joe LegrosFebruary 9, 2023

U.S. Army Capt. Nils A. Olsen, Company Commander,1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade works with Kenyan Defence Force Soldiers during the final training event of Exercise Justified Accord, March 16, 2022.  Exercise Justified Accord allows the US and our African partners to support enduring peace and stability in the region. Over 800 personnel participated in the exercise which included a multinational field training exercise and a command post exercise Feb. 28-March 17, 2021.
U.S. Army Capt. Nils A. Olsen, Company Commander,1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade works with Kenyan Defence Force Soldiers during the final training event of Exercise Justified Accord, March 16, 2022. Exercise Justified Accord allows the US and our African partners to support enduring peace and stability in the region. Over 800 personnel participated in the exercise which included a multinational field training exercise and a command post exercise Feb. 28-March 17, 2021. (Photo Credit: Capt. Abigail Hammock) VIEW ORIGINAL
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.​​

Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multi-national exercise brings together more than 20 countries from 3 continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.​

From Feb. 13-23, approximately 1,000 participants will take part in various events, primarily based in Nairobi and Isiolo, Kenya, with spoke locations in Uganda, Djibouti and Somalia.

JA23 features an African Union Staff Officer Course, a multinational live-fire field training exercise, humanitarian assistance projects, as well as defensive cyber exercises. This is the first year cyber has been incorporated into the exercise series.

“Justified Accord showcases the desire of U.S. and partner nations to increase readiness and interoperability when it comes to regional security and crisis response,” said Mr. F. Austin Blessard, SETAF-AF lead exercise planner for JA23.

Several U.S. Army forward-deployed units will participate in the exercise, including the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment and the 352nd Civil Affairs Command.

Additionally, the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program will be featured throughout JA23.

Soldiers from the Massachusetts National Guard share an SPP relationship with the Kenyan Defence Forces and are tasked with providing logistical and sustainment support for exercise participants.

“We’re extremely grateful for our hosts in Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti and Somalia,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Thibodeau, deputy commanding general of SETAF-AF. “It’s exciting to witness the military readiness and capabilities of a truly multinational force, all showcased right here in East Africa at Justified Accord.”

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) is responsible for achieving U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Campaign Plan objectives while conducting all U.S. Army operations, exercises and security cooperation on the African continent.

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