U.S. Marines Provide Counter IED Training to UGABAG 6

Marine Master Sergeant Brian Ivers leads UGABAG 6 soldiers through Counter IED mission planning practical exercise.

The US Government, through the combined efforts of the Departments of State, Defense and US Africa Command, continues to assist the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in their commitment to improve regional peace and stability.

Marines from US Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF) led a nine-man training team that provided ten days of enhanced counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) training to Uganda Battle Group 6 (UGABAG 6) from 17-28 May, 2010. 

Master Sergeant Timothy Graves, MARFORAF Security Cooperation Team Intelligence Chief and IED subject matter expert, designed and supervised the “Attack the Network” training package in coordination with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), which is the US Department of Defense’s C-IED brain trust.  The training was administered by the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program (ACOTA) and took place at Sigo Training School 80 km north of Kampala.   In total, 110 UPDF soldiers were issued training completion certificates, 45 junior officers and 65 enlisted men.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeffery Miller of the Marine Corps Engineer Center led the mission and said that the Ugandans are quick learners and are attentive and energetic.   He also said that Colonel Ondogu, the UGABAG 6 Commander, thanks the United States for the valuable training.

According to Major Christopher Crimi, MARFORAF South and East Africa Regional Plans Officer, the training will improve the Battle Group’s ability to conduct peace support operations by providing them with the latest C-IED tactics, techniques and procedures in advance of their scheduled AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) deployment to Mogadishu.