In a region where a single network breach can cross borders within seconds, cybersecurity and communication preparedness have become critical.
From July 13 to 16, Djiboutian armed forces and U.S. service members, including the Kentucky Army National Guard, joined forces in Djibouti for an intensive four-day training focused on cyber defence and radio communications.
Organised under the auspices of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP), the joint exercise aimed to strengthen both nations’ cyber resilience and enhance interoperability in crisis response and military coordination.
Hands-on collaboration to enhance threat detection and communications
Inside classrooms and communications bays, participants drilled together on network monitoring, threat detection, and the deployment of key cybersecurity tools.
The sessions then shifted to radio communication fundamentals — the critical methods used for maintaining secure and reliable communication during both day-to-day missions and emergency scenarios.
“Combining all these efforts is an opportunity not only to strengthen CJTF-HOA’s relationship with the Djiboutian armed forces, but also AFRICOM’s broader engagement with Djibouti through the State Partnership Program,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jacob Henley, cyber planner for CJTF-HOA.
The training blended theory, live demonstrations, and real-world simulations, creating space for shared problem-solving and fostering trust between both forces.
Kentucky-Djibouti state partnership builds long-term capacity
This collaboration was spearheaded by the Kentucky Army National Guard, which maintains a longstanding partnership with Djibouti through the SPP. Administered by the National Guard Bureau and coordinated with U.S. Department of State foreign policy objectives, the program links U.S. state National Guard units with partner-nation militaries.
“The trust built during exchanges such as this [is] critical to the development of a more secure environment in the region,” said U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Pollock, chief of cyber and electromagnetic activities for CJTF-HOA.
According to organizers, the program is designed to be repeatable and scalable — not just a one-off event, but a growing framework for sustainable capacity-building.
“Strengthening partner nations’ ability to secure their own networks and infrastructure improves regional cyber resilience and mitigates threats that can undermine stability,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Justin Szabo, AFRICOM’s communications program manager.
Stronger networks, stronger partnerships
Beyond training, the joint initiative supports the creation of common operating procedures, clearer communications in the field, and quicker coordination in future emergencies.
It also builds familiarity among units that will likely work together again — a strategic advantage in high-stress environments.
The training comes at a time when digital threats in East Africa are escalating and interconnectivity means that a single weak link can jeopardize an entire regional network.
Djibouti’s critical position as a gateway for undersea cables and a hub for regional telecom infrastructure makes its cybersecurity capacity particularly vital.
For both the U.S. and Djiboutian service members who participated, the results of the exchange were immediately valuable — from refining technical skills to gaining a deeper understanding of shared threats and joint solutions.
As digital threats evolve, this kind of grassroots partnership is poised to form the backbone of regional security efforts. For East Africa, the message is clear: resilience is built collaboratively, one skill-sharing mission at a time.