The Kenyan – U.S. partnership at Manda Bay, Kenya, recently executed their first combined base defense exercise that tested the combined ability to detect and counter threats, ensuring continued power projection for counter-terrorism operations across East Africa.
Combined training between Kenyan Defence Forces and U.S. Forces is not new, but for the first time, MBK executed an installation-wide base defense exercise and marked the first complete cross-functional integration of combined forces, to include members from all branches of the KDF.
“We both want the same thing: the protection of this area, of Kenya, and to defeat the enemy,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christian Wheeler, Task Force Seminole Security Force operations.
“Think of a rope that has multiple strands; the stronger we are combined, the stronger we are overall.”
The exercise included multiple force protection scenarios to test, stress, and assess the installation’s combined capabilities to defend itself against enemy attacks.
It tested members on defensive emergency response and recovery operations, suspicious persons and activities drills, mortar counterfire, and more.
“This combined effort gave Soldiers and Airmen the ‘why’, so they got to see this is what [USAFRICOM Commander] Gen. Anderson’s idea of combined integration looks like,” said Wheeler.
“They got to work hand in hand with someone they’ve never worked with before, along with a partner nation that has different SOPs [standard operating procedures].”
Both nations were afforded the opportunity to learn from each other and identify any areas where there could be improvement, ensuring that in a real-world scenario, the Kenyan – U.S. partnership is ready to defend the installation.
“Our integration shines through on a daily basis – from coordination meetings and knowledge exchanges to collaborative training and now, more complex combined base defense exercises,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sandy Van den Mooter, 475th Air Expeditionary Base Squadron commander. “These events serve as examples of an enduring steadfast partnership with our Kenyan partners in their fight against al Shabaab and other terrorist organizations.”
Through persistent cooperation, shared intelligence, and integrated training, the 475th EABS contributes to enhancing the capabilities of the KDF to neutralize extremist threats and secure the country’s borders.
Following the success of this BDEX, the installation is looking to the future for an increase of more complex, combined training opportunities to further strengthen the KDF – U.S. partnership.
“This BDEX reinforces the seamless on-the-ground cooperation between U.S. and KDF forces,” said Van Den Mooter. “The need for this level of combined integration isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ — it’s the cornerstone of how we fight together.”
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