Task Force Paxton hit the ground running with Justified Accord 2024, the U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa, from Feb. 26 to March 7.
Soldiers with Co. C, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, Lewis Run, are serving with the task force operating near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
According to a military press release, Task Force Paxton is providing critical security support at installations across the Horn of Africa. As the United States’ largest tactical unit on the continent of Africa, the security task force makes up more than two-thirds of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) force and is critical to providing security and building partnerships throughout East Africa in support of U.S. Africa Command.
As part of Justified Accord, the task force worked directly with Djiboutian Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide in AliOune, Djibouti. The U.S. soldiers demonstrated how to set up an entry control point and search visitors for weapons and contraband.
Task Force Paxton also trained with Tactical Law Enforcement, Team South, U.S. Coast Guard, to train medics in tactical combat care with their multinational partners during Cutlass Express 2024 at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti.
“Task Force Paxton is there primarily for security operations but the time they spend there will involve training and exercises with our foreign allies,” said Maj. Travis Muller, public affairs officer, Pennsylvania National Guard. “The experience and education they gain there will add to the overall professionalism and experience of the Pennsylvania National Guard and increase our capability and readiness to serve our communities and commonwealth.”
Camp Lemonnier, home to the task force, is the primary base of operations for U.S. Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. It is located near the southern narrow of the Red Sea where it opens into the Gulf of Aden. Task Force Paxton assumed control over the security mission in East Africa during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 10.
