A Malawi Defence Force fire team takes cover at a defensive fighting position to engage simulated enemy troops advancing on their location at the Malawi Battalion Training Site, May 31, 2018. U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez and his team traveled to the MALBAT Training Site to follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, and to assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez meets and discusses with key Malawi Defence Force leadership at the Malawi Battalion Training Site, May 31, 2018. Leadership sat together and witnessed the final MALBAT exercise and graduation ceremony as dozens of MDF soldiers prepare for deployment. Colon-Lopez travelled to Malawi to meet with the Malawi Defence Force, engaging with both senior officer and enlisted leadership as part of a three-day tour. The visit included a follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, as well as assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
A soldier from the Malawi Defence Force stands in formation while graduating the Malawi Battalion Training Course in Malawi, Africa, May 31, 2018. U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez and his team traveled to the MALBAT Training Site to follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, and to assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez proudly sits with Malawi Defence Force leadership as they observe and listen to the closing remarks of the Malawi Battalion Training Course graduation in Malawi, Africa, May 31, 2018. Colon-Lopez travelled to Malawi to meet with the Malawi Defence Force, engaging with both senior officer and enlisted leadership as part of a three-day tour. The visit included a follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, as well as assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez walks with Malawi Defence Force’s Senior Enlisted Leader Warrant Officer First Class George Bisalomu to observe the final Malawi Battalion Training Course exercise before graduation, May 31, 2018. Colon-Lopez travelled to Malawi to meet with the Malawi Defence Force, engaging with both senior officer and enlisted leadership as part of a three-day tour. The visit included a follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, as well as assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
U.S. Africa Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez meets with key leadership at the Malawi Armed Forces College Sergeant Major Academy in Malawi, Africa, June 1, 2018. Colon-Lopez travelled to Malawi to meet with the Malawi Defence Force, engaging with both senior officer and enlisted leadership as part of a three-day tour. The visit included a follow-up on issues addressed by the MDF during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in November 2017, as well as assess the MDF’s capability to train and sustain Peace Keeping Operations Forces.
During an operation on June 8, 2018, in Jubaland, Somalia, one U.S. Special Operations member was killed and four U.S. service members and one partner force member were wounded as the result of an enemy attack.
During an operation June 8, 2018, in Jubaland, Somalia, one U.S. Special Operations member was killed and four U.S. service members and one partner force was wounded as the result of an enemy attack. Names are being withheld pending next of kin notification. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the service members.
African military legal experts participate in "law of armed conflict" conference
9:10 PM6/8/2018
Military and academic legal experts from around the world were invited to discuss issues in the law of armed conflict at the 4th annual Maj. Gen. John L. Fugh and Multinational Interoperability Symposium, conducted at The Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Va., May 28-29, 2018. Center is Ms. June Chung, Maj. Gen. Fugh’s widow; on Ms. Chung’s left is Lt. Gen. Charles N. Pede, The Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army; on Ms. Chung’s right is Maj. Gen. Stuart W. Risch, The Deputy Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army. (Photo by Aliza Reisberg, The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School (TJAGLCS))
U.S. Statement on Alleged Civilian Casualties in Somalia
3:05 PM6/8/2018
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces, in an advise-and-assist capacity, partnered in a Somali-led operation to disrupt and degrade al-Shabaab's terrorist network near Bulcida, Somalia, May 9, 2018, as previously released.
In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Bani Walid, Libya, on June 6, 2018, killing four ISIS-Libya militants.