Intelligence course in Bamako, Mali, fosters cooperation among West African neighbors

By Rich Bartell, U.S. Army Africa Public AffairsApril 20, 2011

Intel course, Bamako, Mali
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Intel course, Bamako, Mali
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Intel course, Bamako, Mali
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VICENZA, Italy - Recently, U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) intelligence assets extended a helping hand to their African continent counterparts in Bamako, Mali.

According to Maj. Kevin Cahill, of USARAF Intelligence Security Cooperation section, 18 students from various African nations took part in a Military Intelligence Professional Course (MIPC) recently. The six-week course was conducted in French and English.

Among the 18 students were two U.S. Soldiers who are working for U.S Africa Command.

Cahill said the MIPC is designed for senior military intelligence officers from Operation Enduring Freedom and African partnership nations such as Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Felton Crawley represented USARAF and served as commandant to the MPIC. Crawley ensured that contractors delivered specified intelligence curriculum that covered a variety of intelligence subjects such as civilian oversight of intelligence, military intelligence in a democracy and disaster response.

MPIC students also learned about the intelligence cycle, prepared briefings and produced intelligence-based projects.

Cahill explained the importance of MPIC training for our African country counterparts.

"One of the important objectives of this course was to generate regional camaraderie and collaboration," Cahill said. "Although challenging to coordinate, bringing these intelligence officers to get to know one another and develop a common understanding of intelligence," he said.

This six-week course was the first of two such MPICs slated for this year.

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