U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. Special Operations Forces have conducted a civil affairs joint combined exchange training alongside the Tanzania Marine Special Forces in Dar es Salaam.
The monthlong training let the U.S. and Tanzanian service members develop and maintain critical military-to-military connections and improve joint and allied readiness and interoperability.
“This course is very crucial for our special forces because it enables us to be better prepared for various scenarios and upcoming duties,” said Lt. Col. Athumani Ghamunga of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force. “It is also the opportunity to share experience and knowledge between our special forces.”
Joint combined exchange training, or JCET, primarily lets host government forces give area orientations to U.S. Special Operations Forces. JCET exercises usually are composed of between 10 and 40 personnel.
Although joint exchanges between the U.S. and Tanzania aren’t new, the exercise helped develop different capabilities and incorporate elements from the civil affairs unit.
“This was the first civil affairs focused JCET in Tanzania,” said U.S. Army Capt. Tyler Clarke, a civil affairs team lead. “The training focused on civil affairs and civil military operations to include civil reconnaissance [and] civil engagements. We discussed negotiations, mediations and tactical combat casualty care.”
The JCET program’s primary purpose is to provide partner-nation special operations units specific training to promote security and stability in Africa.
“Joint combined exchange training is the bridge and glue which binds together the relationship between Tanzania and the U.S.,” said Tanzania People’s Defence Force Brig. Gen. Iddi Nkambi.