WADPI Graduates: Senior officials from Liberia and Nigeria attend graduation ceremony of the 7th West African Disaster Preparedness Initiative. L-R: Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Abdulsalam Nasidi; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Hans Barchue; Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Commodore Julius Dzamefe; and WADPI Course Director, Colonel Kennedy Osemwegie present certificates to a Nigerian and Liberian graduates at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, Sept. 18, 2015. Funded by U.S. AFRICOM and executed by KAIPTC, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) of Ghana, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), WADPI aims to strengthen national capacities in disaster preparedness, response and management among 17 African Partner Nations, primarily ECOWAS member states, and Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon. (Photo by the KAIPTC-WADPI Communications Team/Released)

Graduates of the 7th West Africa Disaster Preparedness Initiative (WADPI) course pose with faculty and senior government officials from Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, Sept. 18, 2015. Funded by U.S. AFRICOM and executed by KAIPTC, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) of Ghana, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), WADPI aims to strengthen national capacities in disaster preparedness, response and management among 17 African Partner Nations, primarily ECOWAS member states, and Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon. (Photo by the KAIPTC-WADPI Communications Team/Released)

WADPI Graduates: Senior officials from Liberia and Nigeria attend graduation ceremony of the 7th West African Disaster Preparedness Initiative. L-R: Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Abdulsalam Nasidi; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Hans Barchue; Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Commodore Julius Dzamefe; and WADPI Course Director, Colonel Kennedy Osemwegie present certificates to a Nigerian and Liberian graduates at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, Sept. 18, 2015. Funded by U.S. AFRICOM and executed by KAIPTC, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) of Ghana, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), WADPI aims to strengthen national capacities in disaster preparedness, response and management among 17 African Partner Nations, primarily ECOWAS member states, and Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon. (Photo by the KAIPTC-WADPI Communications Team/Released)

Lance Cpl. Justin Forrester teaches immediate action drills to a park ranger with the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux at the Pongara National Forest in Pongara, Gabon, Sept. 17. U.S. Marines and park rangers with ANPN, worked together to help the nation's fight against wildlife trafficking. The Marines trained with the ANPN focusing on infantry tactics to help build the nation’s capacity to counter trafficking of ivory and other animal-related products. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photos by Staff Sgt. Ryan Nikzad)

Multinational Cooperation Center hosts initial NATO staff exchange: Key NATO staff met with AFRICOM personnel during a recent staff exchange visit, conducted Sept. 10, 2015, at AFRICOM’s headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Stuttgart, GE. The MNCC is AFRICOM’s hub for multinational cooperation and is primarily responsible for integrating international partners into staff processes that inform strategic planning and operations. Picture L-R: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Kam from SHAPE, French Air Force Lt. Col. Pascal Giraud from SHAPE, U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Raymond Yau from AFRICOM and U.S. Army Col. Tony Curtis who leads the MNCC at AFRICOM. (USAFRICOM photo by Brenda Law/Released)

Multinational Cooperation Center hosts initial NATO staff exchange: Theodora Adekunle, Political Officer with the NATO International Staff, and British Navy Cdr. Mark Stuttard with the Allied Joint Forces Command in Naples, Italy, met with AFRICOM staff during a recent staff exchange visit, conducted Sept. 10, 2015, at AFRICOM’s headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Stuttgart, GE. The MNCC is AFRICOM’s hub for multinational cooperation and is primarily responsible for integrating international partners into staff processes that inform strategic planning and operations. (USAFRICOM photo by Brenda Law/Released)

Multinational Cooperation Center hosts initial NATO staff exchange: Michel Soula, Head of all NATO Operations but Afghanistan, met with AFRICOM staff during a recent staff exchange visit, conducted Sept. 10, 2015, at AFRICOM’s headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Stuttgart, GE. The MNCC is AFRICOM’s hub for multinational cooperation and is primarily responsible for integrating international partners into staff processes that inform strategic planning and operations. (USAFRICOM photo by Brenda Law/Released)

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command met Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Katumba Wamala and other senior officials of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces in Kampala Sept. 30, 2015. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy - Kampala)

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command and Gen. Samson Mwathethe, Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces, speak at the State Partnership Program signing ceremony, Oct. 1, 2015.

Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command, delivers remarks during the State Partnership Program signing ceremony Oct. 1, 2015 between the Massachusetts National Guard and the Republic of Kenya.

Maj. Gen. Scott Rice, Massachusetts National Guard Adjutant General, and Kenyan Defence Principal Secretary Kiritu Wamae sign the State Partnership Program agreement during a signing ceremony in Nairobi Oct. 1, 2015.

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command met Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Katumba Wamala and other senior officials of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces in Kampala Sept. 30, 2015. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy - Kampala)

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command met Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Katumba Wamala and other senior officials of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces in Kampala Sept. 30, 2015. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy - Kampala)

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the commander of U.S. Africa Command met Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces Katumba Wamala and other senior officials of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces in Kampala Sept. 30, 2015. Rodriguez also presented the Legion of Merit, the highest U.S. military award for foreign citizens, to six Ugandan People's Defense Force officers. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy - Kampala)

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, poses for a photo with Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos after completing their final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commandos depart after raiding a simulated enemy position during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Austin Carpenter, a rifleman, shakes his counterpart Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando’s hand after successfully completing the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

Second Lt. Aaron Burtner, security cooperation team leader, congratulates a Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando during his graduation ceremony after completing the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, September 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando raids the beach during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and small-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

A Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando posts security on the beach during the final exercise with U.S. service members in Dakar, Senegal, Sept. 17, 2015. The Marines and Coast Guardsmen with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa spent four weeks training the COFUMACO on basic infantry tactics and mall-boat operations as a part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance mission to increase interoperability with Senegal’s and strengthen the bond between the partner nations.( U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald/Released)

AFRICOM hosts faculty from the U.S. Air War College: U.S. Army Col. Barry Jones (foreground) and German Air Force Lt.Col. Andreas Scharff were among a group of 16 faculty from the U.S. Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. who visited AFRICOM Headquarters at the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Sept. 29, 2015. The Air War College faculty were briefed by select AFRICOM staff about the commands mission and programs. (USAFRICOM photo by Brenda Law/Released)

AFRICOM hosts faculty from the U.S. Air War College: U.S. AFRICOM Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Kingsley (far right), welcomes faculty from the U.S. Air War College, Sept. 29, 2015. The 16 faculty members were briefed by select AFRICOM staff about the commands mission and programs. (USAFRICOM photo by Brenda Law/Released)

U.S. Army Sgt. Zechariah Dice, information operations course instructor, shows Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) personnel how to use a tactical transmitter system during an information operations course at Jinja, Uganda, recently. Its use was part of a course designed to help the UPDF develop their ability to plan and disseminate information to civilians and violent extremist organizations to inform and reduce the need for force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)

Uganda People’s Defense Force personnel attend an information operations course in Jinja, Uganda, recently. U.S. Army personnel from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa hosted the multi-week information operations course to help the UPDF develop their message planning and dissemination capabilities to counter Violent extremist organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)

Officers and senior noncommissioned officers from U.S. and African partner nation militaries pose for a picture in Studio 1 at Defense Media Activity, Fort Meade, Maryland, Sept. 23, 2015. The tour was part of the weeklong U.S. Africa Command Women’s Communication Forum which supports President Barack Obama’s National Action Plan on Women’s Peace and Security.

Col. Tamatha A. Patterson, commander, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade, right, gives a command brief to a delegation of military women from nine African countries during a visit to the Army Women’s Museum Sept. 21. The group was part of the Women’s Communications Forum, which is a military-to-military engagement through U.S. Africa Command that sent 11 foreign communications officers and senior NCOs to the United States. The forums support’s the command’s mission to build the military capacity of partner nations in Africa while also supporting the president’s National Action Plan on Women’s Peace and Security. (Photo by Amy Perry, Fort Lee Public Affairs)

Malagasy Republic Lt. Harlette Naudy Gea Avanantsoa poses for a picture during a tour at Defense Media Activity, Fort Meade, Maryland, Sept. 23, 2015. The tour was part of the weeklong U.S. Africa Command Women’s Communication Forum which supports President Barack Obama’s National Action Plan on Women’s Peace and Security.

Uganda Lt. Christine Nalwoga, has her picture taken by Lt. Abwooli Kellen during a tour at Defense Media Activity, Fort Meade, Maryland, Sept. 23, 2015. The tour was part of the weeklong U.S. Africa Command Women’s Communication Forum which supports President Barack Obama’s National Action Plan on Women’s Peace and Security.

White House

Djibouti Armed Forces Lt. Amina Ahmed Farah, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Capt. Roland Powers and U.S. Air National Guard Col. Mike Cooper, discuss priorities in medical training at Ramstein AB, Germany, Aug. 25, 2015. The goal of this symposium was for African partners to possess greater medical support capacity and the ability to sustain medical readiness through African institutions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Charlene M. Spade/released)

African Partnership Flights Surgeon General Symposium attendees learn tactical casualty combat care procedures during a demonstration at Ramstein AB, Germany, Aug. 25, 2015. This event focused on strengthening U.S. strategic partnerships with leading nations in Africa to enhance regional cooperation and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Charlene M. Spade/released)

African Partnership Flights Surgeon General Symposium attendees watch a field care condition demonstration at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 25, 2015. This event focused on strengthening U.S. strategic partnerships with leading nations in Africa to enhance regional cooperation and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Charlene M. Spade/released)

Dr. Jose Daniel, Dar-El Hanan Hospital obstetrician-gynecologist, center, and U.S. Army Maj. Lisa Walker, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion veterinarian, right, conducts an ultra sound during a Medical Civic Action Program outreach event, at Ali Sabieh Medical Clinic in Djibouti, Africa, Sept. 12, 2015. The 404th CA team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, partnered with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to provide specialty medical care to more than 400 Djiboutians in low-income communities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

A child eats a lollipop after a medical checkup at the Ali Sabieh Medical Clinic in Djibouti, Africa, Sept. 12, 2015. The 404th Civil Affairs Battalion team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, partnered with Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to deliver specialty medical care and medication for Djiboutians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes

U.S. Army Capt. Michael Silva, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion dentist, center, and Dr. Hassan Ahmed, Ali Sabieh dentist, examine a patient at the Ali Sabieh Medical Clinic in Djibouti, Africa, Sept. 12, 2015. The 404th CA BN team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, offers guidance and shares knowledge with Djiboutian medical personnel during a Medical Civic Action Program event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

A speaker gives a presentation at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Regional Training Facility In Kampala, Uganda. The training addressed sexual violence within the military justice system and was held Aug. 10-12, 2015. (Courtesy photo)

A group photo taken during the Horn of Africa Water Security Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in August 2015. (Courtesy Photo)

Ambassador Phillip Carter III, right, the outgoing deputy to the commander for civil military engagement with U.S. Africa Command, shakes hands with U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael T. Franken, the AFRICOM deputy to the commander for military operations, after Carter received the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award during a ceremony at Kelley Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 17, 2015. Carter served as the commander’s senior diplomat and civilian advisor to the commander since November 2013.

Ambassador Phillip Carter III, right, the command’s outgoing deputy to the commander for civil military engagement,and U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of U.S. Africa Command, address members of the AFRICOM staff at Kelley Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 17, 2015. Rodriguez awarded Carter with the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest military award a civilian can earn from a joint command or staff.

U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, left, commander of U.S. Africa Command presents the Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award to Ambassador Phillip Carter III, the outgoing deputy to the commander for civil military engagement with U.S. Africa Command, during a ceremony at Kelley Barracks, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 17, 2015. Carter served as the commander’s senior diplomat since November 2013.