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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

Djiboutian soldiers march in formation following the culminating exercise of a five-week training cycle for the newly formed Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), a Djiboutian army crisis response unit, at a site outside Djibouti City, May 3, 2018. U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa conducted the RIB training.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

A Djiboutian soldier evacuates a simulated casualty during the culminating exercise of a five-week training cycle for the newly formed Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), a Djiboutian army crisis response unit, at site outside Djibouti City, May 3, 2018. U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa conducted the RIB training.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

A Djiboutian soldier reacts to simulated contact during the culminating exercise of a five-week training cycle for the newly formed Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), a Djiboutian army crisis response unit, at a site outside Djibouti City, May 3, 2018. U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa conducted the RIB training.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

A Djiboutian soldier provides security during the culminating exercise of a five-week training cycle for the newly formed Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), a newly formed Djiboutian army crisis response unit, at a site outside Djibouti City, May 3, 2018. U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa conducted the RIB training.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

U.S. Army Sergeant Vincent Merriman, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, demonstrates a proper pushup for a Djiboutian soldier at a training site outside Djibouti City, April 19, 2018. U.S. service members have been training the Djiboutian Army's Rapid Intervention Battalion, a newly formed crisis response unit.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA trains historic Djiboutian Army Rapid Intervention Battalion

U.S. Army Sergeant Vincent Merriman, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, monitors Djiboutian soldiers during a react-to-fire exercise at a training site outside Djibouti City, April 16, 2018. U.S. service members have been training the Djiboutian Army's Rapid Intervention Battalion, a newly formed crisis response unit.

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Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn 

Members of the Djiboutian Army’s first ever Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), graduated from training following a culminating exercise at a site outside Djibouti City, May 3.

The training, provided by Task Force Bayonet, Texas National Guard, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), consisted of U.S. Army basic warrior tasks, U.S. Army combatives, and combat life-saving.

“The Texas Guard's efforts have truly strengthened our partnership with the Djiboutian military by helping to train their new Rapid Intervention Battalion.” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William Zana, acting commanding general of CJTF-HOA.

Soldiers worked hand in hand with the RIB members to ensure they received the highest quality of instruction according to U.S. Army Sgt. Vincent Merriman, an instructor.

“Even though the language barrier made things difficult at times, we physically got down with them to show the proper way to do things.” Merriman said, “They caught on quickly and took the training very seriously, that in itself makes it all rewarding.”

The RIB’s mission is to serve as a reactionary force to accomplish specified tasks directed by their higher command in the Djiboutian army. Djiboutian Army Cpt. Omar Ali Hassan, Commanding Officer of the RIB, spoke of his men’s enthusiasm in regard to that mission.

“The RIB is young and the men are motivated, show a lot of interest, and are conscious that this is a very good opportunity for their careers.” said Hassan.

While most of the men will be joining the ranks of the RIB immediately, members that stood out during training have been invited to return to work side by side with U.S. service members to assist in training the next classes.

“We are really proud of the new members of the Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion and the U.S. service members who have worked closely together in training. This partnership will result in Djibouti having a ready force to strengthen security and stability, counter violent extremism in east africa, and respond quickly to a variety of crises.” said Zana.