US Forces Conduct Major Military Readiness Exercise in Southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — US forces operating in East Africa conducted a major military readiness exercise in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo, testing their ability to defend a military base under attack and rapidly deploy reinforcements during a security emergency.

The exercise, held on August 18, involved the US military's East Africa Response Force (EARF), which operates under the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), the US military said.

The drill was conducted at a security facility in Kismayo and combined two key scenarios: defending a base against a simulated attack and rapidly deploying a response force to reinforce personnel facing a serious threat at another location.

US military officials said the exercise was designed to test coordination between troops already stationed in Kismayo and rapidly deployed reinforcements.

The training covered communications, base defence, artillery operations and medical support, according to the military.

Austin Doughty, a US military officer involved in the exercise, said the response force was quickly integrated into the base's existing defence structure upon its arrival in Kismayo.

"We ensured that the incoming forces were incorporated into security operations, that artillery capabilities were properly positioned, and that planning and operational handovers were carried out," Doughty said.

He said effective communication and coordination among the different military units had been central to the exercise.

The East Africa Response Force is designed to provide the US military with a rapid-response capability for security emergencies across the region, particularly in areas where American forces or interests may face threats.

Lieutenant Ethan White, who led part of the force taking part in the training, said the exercise tested the troops' ability to rapidly reinforce a military installation facing a major attack.

"This training demonstrated our ability to quickly strengthen a location where an adversary could potentially gain an advantage," White said.

He said the response force included personnel with specialised capabilities, including experts responsible for coordinating air support, medical personnel and artillery troops.