Faces of AFRICOM | Exercise Planner

This edition sheds light on the role of Joint Training, Readiness and Exercises directorate with the help of U.S. Army Lt. Col. Adam McCombs. "A lot of the exercises focus not only on countering VEOs (violent extremist organizations) on the continent, a threat that we both share, but also promoting stability and regional security within the host nations and the surrounding nations for the objectives we are looking to achieve within the exercise program," explained McCombs. "We take a big account to what our partner nation's objectives are and making sure that the exercise also meets those ideas." The main objectives when planning exercises are to take the combatant commander's guidance for the operations and align the program in a way that achieves the campaign strategy, assists in countering threats, strengthens alliances, and increases the overall joint readiness of the force. Exercises are a necessary part of how the command operates in Africa by incorporating all lines of effort by gaining access and influence, countering threats, incorporating crisis mitigation and response, and coordinating with allies and partners. U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.