The United States Army
03/16/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/16/2023 02:16
Chosen Co. travels to Kenya for JA23
[Link] 1 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade engages opposing forces with soldiers from the Battalion Intervention Rapide of Djibouti during a multinational field training exercise at Justified Accord 23 (JA23) in Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 20, 2023. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Kenya Defence Forces, and partners conduct JA23 to build readiness for the U.S. Joint Force, prepare regional partners for United Nations and African Union mandated missions, and increase multinational interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Michalski) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Luke Michalski)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 2 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -U.S. Army Spc. Kevin Moran assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, identifies a casualty collection point during a multinational field training exercise at Justified Accord 23 (JA23) in Isiolo, Kenya, Feb. 20, 2023. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Kenya Defence Forces, and partners conduct JA23 to build readiness for the U.S. Joint Force, prepare regional partners for United Nations and African Union mandated missions, and increase multinational interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Michalski) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Luke Michalski)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 3 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -U.S. Army paratroopers, assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, engage in combat training as part of a demonstration for during Exercise Justified Accord 23 (JA23) in Isiolo, Kenya, Feb. 23, 2023. JA23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christian Dela Cruz) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christian Dela Cruz)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 4 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Vatterot, a paratrooper with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade, supervises the firing of an AT4 anti-tank weapon during exercise Justified Accord 23 (JA23) in Isiolo, Kenya, Feb. 19, 2023. JA23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 5 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -U.S. Army Pfc. Patrick Gasparrini, assigned to Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, trains with an AT4 during exercise Justified Accord 23 (JA23) in Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 19, 2023. JA23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christian Dela Cruz) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Christian Dela Cruz)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 6 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -A U.S. Army paratrooper with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade engages targets with an M249 machine gun during a live fire exercise at Justified Accord 23 in Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 16, 2023. Justified Accord 23 is a key exercise for U.S. and partner readiness as it enables forces to train and operate as a combined and joint force while enabling East African regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Luke Michalski) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Luke Michalski)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 7 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mark Freshour (right), Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade critiques paratroopers during room-clearing training in Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 13, 2023. Exercise Justified Accord 23 (JA23) is a joint, multinational, readiness exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), sponsored by U.S. Africa Command. (U.S. Army by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson)VIEW ORIGINAL[Link] 8 / 8Show Caption +Hide Caption -Paratroopers with Chosen Company, 2-503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) point a high-powered laser during non-lethal weapons training during Justified Accord 23 at Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 14, 2023. Experts from the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office taught paratroopers on the variety of uses for non-lethal weapons and their life-saving capabilities. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Kenya Defence Forces, and partners conduct Justified Accord 23 to build readiness for the U.S. Joint Force, prepare regional partners for United Nations and African Union mandated missions, and increase multinational interoperability. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson)VIEW ORIGINAL
Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
ISIOLO, Kenya - U.S. Army paratroopers with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (The Rock), 173rd Airborne Brigade, recently traveled to Kenya to participate in exercise Justified Accord 23 (JA23). JA23 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa.
Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), this multinational exercise brings together more than 20 countries from four continents to increase partner readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.
Centered around the Kenyan School of Infantry in Isiolo, Kenya, Rock paratroopers joined with infantrymen from Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to hone their skills. The beginning of the training saw paratroopers developing their skills on the range and in the shoot house, practicing how to enter and clear a room.
Later in the exercise, this training was put to the test as paratroopers moved into multinational squad live-fires.
Aside from the M240 machine guns, M249 squad automatic weapons, M4 carbines and M17 service pistol, the unit also received training with non-lethal weapons.
Non-lethal training is essential for the 173rd Airborne Brigade's North and West Africa Crisis Response Force (NARF) responsibilities. NARF is under the command and control of SETAF-AF and utilizes 173rd Airborne Brigade units as a decisive, forward-postured, quick response element for crisis-related missions.
"Non-lethal weapons training will enhance our abilities to respond to a NARF crisis," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dylon Bunch, squad leader with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (The Rock), 173rd Airborne Brigade. "If we are responding to a humanitarian crisis or peacekeeping mission, we must have the tools in our arsenal to use non-lethal force to accomplish the mission."
Instructors from the Joint Intermediate Force Capabilities Office (JIFCO) demonstrated non-lethal weapon capabilities, giving Soldiers an opportunity to utilize the different systems.
From non-lethal shotguns to claymores, paratroopers expressed they were grateful to receive the training.
JA23 culminated with a multinational field training exercise (FTX). The final event saw U.S. paratroopers working directly with East African partners during a simulated crisis response.
The exercise scenario utilized a military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) site, complete with multiple metal cargo containers, some of which were two stories high. The multinational force was tasked with clearing this simulated village of enemy combatants and were provided intelligence that non-government organizations were in the vicinity to provide aid to displaced villagers.
Combined units patrolled building to building and door to door in order to clear the village of adversaries, all while taking small-arms fire by opposition forces using blank firing adapters. They also made sure not to target any non-combatant villagers or those providing humanitarian assistance.
"Being stationed in Italy and part of the Army's contingency response force in Europe, as well as the NARF, is a unique and challenging experience," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Matthew Serrate, platoon leader with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (The Rock), 173rd Airborne Brigade.
"I love the fact we're out here to build relationships and train with partner nations. It's paramount to what we do as paratroopers," he added.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's contingency response force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) is responsible for achieving U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Campaign Plan objectives while conducting all U.S. Army operations, exercises and security cooperation on the African continent.
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