MOMBASA, Kenya, Jul 21- Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Robert Kibochi on Tuesday visited the Joint Forces Air component at FOB- Mombasa, to assess their levels of training and operational capability in the ongoing Field Training Exercise (FTX).
The CDF was received and hosted by Brig Bernard Waliaula the FTX -JFACC (Joint Forces Air Component Commander).
The Officers and Airmen at the Command post briefed the CDF on their operational and civil military engagements since the commencement of the FTX.
They also shared lessons learnt and future plans to achieve full interoperability between, Air, Land, Maritime and multi-agency security architecture for mission readiness in the continuum of operations.
The CDF reiterated that “training is the best way to attain mission readiness, in order to provide comprehensive security to secure the people and their livelihoods.”
The Multi Agency FTX, is an opportunity to achieve the; “one force, one country defense approach,” Gen Kibochi said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Wednesday expected to attend one of the joint trainings in Mombasa.
The President landed in Mombasa on Tuesday, ahead of the event and launch of other development projects.
The Multi Agency FTX, is an opportunity to achieve the “one force, one country defense approach.”
The FTX which is conducted within a multi-agency framework will train all stakeholders on interoperability whilst undertaking national interventions to safeguard the people and livelihoods of Kenyans.
Gen Kibochi noted from the troops on what they were learning, unlearning and relearning during the FTX, assess their mission readiness as well as, operational capabilities to address conventional and asymmetric threats.
The FTX has also benefited communities in the Operation Amani Boni area.
KDF and other MDA’s have engaged locals to identify and deliver on diverse Civil Military Engagements.
KDF has sank boreholes, built schools, rehabilitated infrastructure in dilapidated health centres and schools, and conducted medical clinics.
The exercise, which was launched late last month, has brought together Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to exercise how to effectively operate in a Multi-Agency framework.
The exercise incorporates troops from KDF, National Police, Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, the National Youth Service among others.
The exercise was designed to respond to emerging security threats, which require the employment of whole government approach in delivering.
The exercise will be conducted in Garissa, Tana River and Lamu counties.
These areas have been affected by terrorism, which has led to less development and fears among residents.
The areas are near the Kenya-Somalia border, which makes it easier for Al-Shabaab to attack at will.
Boni Forest in Lamu is an operation zone as the national government has since 2015 conducted a multi-agency security exercise dubbed Linda Boni, which is aimed at flushing out al-Shabaab militants believed to be hiding there.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
