Military logistics officers gathered in Djibouti January 2011 to participate in the first East African Coalition Logistics Conference, hosted by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. The conference brought together logistics officers from U.S. Africa Command, its sub component commands for the Navy, Air Force, Army and CJTF-HOA, as well as partner nations from more than 10 African countries and South Korea.

The conference expanded understanding between partner nation logistics operations, as well as conducted international logistics orientations, established cooperative partner-nation relationships and built on these relationships for the future. Among the partner-nation participants represented were Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius. Delegates from the African Union were also in attendance.

CJTF-HOA's director of logistics and master of ceremonies, U.S. Navy Captain Stephen LeBlanc, opened the conference with welcoming remarks followed by keynote addresses from U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti James Swan, Air Force Brigadier General Barbara Faulkenberry, director of logistics for U.S. Africa Command, and Rear Admiral Brian Losey, CJTF-HOA commander.

"As logisticians, we know that when you look at the ability to accomplish a mission, whether that's peacekeeping, responding to a national crisis, the defense of a nation, [or] the humanitarian response to a catastrophe, we think of the mission," said Faulkenberry. Logistics provides the framework and connectivity in order for a mission to succeed, she added.

Following the formal presentations, the logistics officers from each of the partner nations gave presentations to illustrate their individual logistical situations and unique opportunities to contribute to the over-arching partnerships between the countries. Each country, represented by two officers, dove into their logistical processes, expounding on the issues and challenges they face operating within their country as well as across East Africa. Many of these countries experience similar challenges stemming from poor or emerging economies, recent rebellions, lack of proper infrastructure and challenges based on geographical terrain.

"Dealing with maintenance issues is not always easy," said Lieutenant Colonel Ali Aden Houmed of the Djiboutian National Army. "We also have some difficulty having qualified specialists for maintenance issues, [so these] issues give us a hard time. We have equipment coming from various countries for different projects. It's good to have gifts from friends, but at the end of the day, it is difficult to keep that equipment working."

The second day of the conference opened with additional presentations by partner nation officers. LeBlanc also personally thanked all the participants. The conference culminated in an orientation and demonstration of the Pre-positional Expeditionary Assistance Kit System (PEAK) which converts and purifies local water sources to potable water. The equipment has benefits within medical, military, industrial situations and does not adversely affect the environment.

The conference was hailed as a success in that it was a unique opportunity for U.S. military logisticians to share best practices with their military counterparts in East African countries, enabling them to have a stronger understanding and appreciation for logistical issues and solutions.

"There are major infrastructure programs in virtually every country in this region," said Swan. "New roads, new railway networks [and] new ports will clearly improve capabilities for logistics in the region in the future. Partner nations here in the region are heavily involved in efforts to improve the logistics base here in East Africa."