U.S. Mobile Training Team Teaches Djiboutian Navy

Personnel from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) Mobile Training Team (MTT) conducted Preventive Maintenance Systems (PMS) training March 28 with the Djiboutian Navy. The classroom instruction gives Djiboutian Sailors the opportunity to learn high-quality engineering practices for their vessels. The training consisted of setting up and adhering to maintenance schedules. “Introducing them to the Preventive Maintenance System we use on our ships will help them better do their jobs, increase the life expectancy of their equipment and encourage them to be proactive vice reactive when it comes to doing required maintenance,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SC) William Hawkins III. By engaging the Djiboutian Navy in such a way, the U.S. increases the host nation’s knowledge base and strengthens their maritime mission as well.

“The overall goal is to strengthen their maritime security presence,” said Master Chief Engineman (SW/AW) Shannon Thornton. “If the equipment they are using is working properly they’ll be more effective in protecting their assets.” And to help them be successful, the MTT is composed of many skills sets allowing it to provide valuable information and expertise to their Djiboutian counterparts. “We have a wealth of knowledge within the MTT,” said Electrician’s Mate 1st Class (SS) Brent Arntzen. “If the Djiboutian Navy has a specific question, we have someone who can provide guidance in that particular skill set. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll have one when we come back to do more training because we want them to be successful,” he said.

The Djiboutian Navy is also grateful for the amount of help the U.S. Navy has provided to its staff. “We’re happy to have assistance from the U.S. Navy,” said Lt. Wais Omar Bogoreh, chief of the Djiboutian ships. “They are helping us in all maintenance fields and we hope it continues because we appreciate it.” The MTT is in the process of setting up more training days that will allow the Djiboutian Sailors to do some on-the-job training. CJTF-HOA is a unit of U.S. Central Command. The organization conducts operations and training to assist partner nations to combat terrorism in order to establish a secure environment and enable regional stability. More than 1,500 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, Coalition forces and partner nations make up the CJTF-HOA organization. The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

By Mass Communication Specialst 1st Class Mary Popejoy, CJTF-HOA Public Affairs Office