U.S., South Africa militaries begin Exercise Shared Accord 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal

Exercise Shared Accord, planned and executed by the United States Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, features several key exercises occurring simultaneously -- a medical training exercise, a field training exercises and a training segment called Judicious Activation -- all designed to promote security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and South Africa.


“The New York Army National Guard and U.S. Army are extremely excited to reinvigorate our partnership now that the COVID pandemic has subsided,” said Col. Christopher Cronin, deputy exercise director, New York Army National Guard. “Our Soldiers thoroughly enjoy partnering, learning and training with all our brothers and sisters of the South African National Defense Force. Even more rewarding is the special opportunity during this iteration of Shared Accord to partner with the SANDF and SAMHS to provide vital health education and treatment to the residents of KwaZulu Natal.”
By Master Sgt. Dave S. Thompson U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa South Africa Jul 19, 2022
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RICHARDS BAY, South Africa – Members of the South Africa National Defense Force, the New York Army National Guard and U.S. Africa Command began Exercise Shared Accord 2022, scheduled for July 12-27 in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province from 12-27 July. Exercise Shared Accord, planned and executed by the United States Army Southern European Task Force, Africa features several key exercises occurring simultaneously -- a medical training exercise, a field training exercises and a training segment called Judicious Activation -- all designed to promote security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and South Africa.

Judicious Activation involves specialized members of the South African Police Services training with members of the East African Response Force, a forward-deployed unit from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, built to respond to crises on the African continent. The exercise scenario centers on U.S. personnel working alongside host nation forces with tactical mission planning techniques. Shared Accord will enhance participant capabilities in the areas of medical, veterinarian, communications, logistics, intelligence, humanitarian response, interagency coordination, planning and inter-operability.

“The New York Army National Guard and U.S. Army are extremely excited to reinvigorate our partnership now that the COVID pandemic has subsided,” said Col. Christopher Cronin, deputy exercise director, New York Army National Guard. “Our Soldiers thoroughly enjoy partnering, learning and training with all our brothers and sisters of the South African National Defense Force. Even more rewarding is the special opportunity during this iteration of Shared Accord to partner with the SANDF and SAMHS to provide vital health education and treatment to the residents of KwaZulu Natal.”

Shared Accord 2022 marks the fourth time the exercise was conducted in South Africa. Previous iterations here took place in 2011, 2013 and 2017. Shared Accord was last conducted in Rwanda in 2019 with COVID 19 forcing cancellations of the exercise in 2020 and 2021.

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