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| Maj. Damon Lacour, (left) of Lee Summit, Mo., 110th Manuver Enhancement Brigade, (MEB), Missouri Army National Guard and Maj. Isaac Sendi Tanzania People Defence Force attend a training session on countering violent extremism during Eastern Accord 2012. Eastern Accord is designed to help U.S. and East African participants improve their capibility to respond to regional security threats posed by Violent Extremist Groups and to more effectively counter the associated Violent Extremist Ideology. (U.S. Army Africa photo) | |||
Missouri Army National Guard’s 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade supports Eastern Accord
By Capt. Michelle Matthews, 70th MPAD
ARUSHA, Tanzania – The 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) of the Missouri Army National Guard (MOARNG) is conducting operations in Arusha, Tanzania supporting Eastern Accord 2012. Eastern Accord is a U.S. Army Africa training exercise that is designed to help the U.S. and East African participants improve their capability to respond to regional security threats posed by Violent Extremist Groups and to more effectively counter the associated Violent Extremist Ideology.
Col. William Ward, commander, 110th MEB of Oklahoma City, Ok., and Command Sgt. Maj. John Sportsman of Maitland, Mo, MOARNG are directing U.S. participation during Eastern Accord 2012.
“Our mission here is to conduct an academic program and table top exercise to improve understanding of violent extremism and share best practices to deter violent extremism in Africa. MOARNG are partnering with Tanzania Peoples Defence Force counterparts to provide command and control for the exercise and help execute and facilitate the table top exercise,” said Ward.
The 110th MEB coordinated planning for their part in Eastern Accord 2012 for more than a year. By partnering with the Tanzania Peoples Defence Force (TPDF) and other U.S. Army Africa units, Soldiers of the 110th MEB are gaining valuable experience working in a multi-national environment.
“This is a very important exercise for Soldiers of the 110th MEB. We are learning a great deal of information about countering violent extremism and continue to sharpen our skills as facilitators. The culminating Table Top Exercise (TTX) will allow for our Soldiers to showcase their expertise,” Sportsman said.
Members from the 110th are performing multiple missions during the exercise. Some of their key missions include Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, Integration known as RSOI. The group is responsible for coordinating travel to and from the United States and inter-country travel from the seven East African countries represented.
In addition to the RSOI mission, the 110th MEB is responsible for facilitating the final Table Top Exercise (TTX) occurring Sept. 10-12. Facilitators from the 110th MEB include: Lt. Col. Marty Clay, of St. Louis, Mo.; Lt. Col. Ronny Mast, of Cassville, Mo.; Maj. Damon Lacour, of Lee Summit, Mo.; Maj. Arlen Albers, of Cottleville, Mo.; Maj. Jonathan Sloop, Kirksville, Mo.;, Maj. Peter McCann, of Lee Summit, Mo.; Capt. Scott Weitzel, of Nixa, Mo. and1st. Lt. Logan Merrill, of Hazelwood, Mo will record each group during the TTX.
Several 110th MEB Soldiers will remain in Tanzania until Sept.15 to ensure all personnel return safely to their homelands.
The Missouri National Guard (MONG) is commanded by Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner. It is comprised of both Air and Army National Guard personnel. The mission of the MONG is to organize, train and prepare a family and community based force of ready Citizen- Soldiers and Airmen as units to defend and serve the people of Missouri and the United States of America. There are approximately 11,500 Citizen- Soldiers and Airmen in the Missouri National Guard. The MONG has approximately 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen deployed in supporting various operations throughout the United States and the world.