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“I wanted to follow in my parents footsteps and take advantage of the educational opportunities that the Army has to offer” -Spc. Brandon Chandler USARAF generator mechanic

Sgt. Maj. Eric B. Buenavente, United States Army Africa Joint Coalition Network Division NCOIC checks his shooting card during the USARAF range week at the Del Din Range on Sept. 17, 2018.

Brig. Gen. William J. Prendergast, U.S. Army Africa Deputy commanding general, paticipates in the annual Mandela Day celebration during Shared Accord 17 in the local community of Postmasburg, July 18, 2017. During Mandela Day, representatives from the armed forces donate 67 minutes of their free time to work in the local community on his birthday each year and to commemorate Nelson Mandela's age when he was released. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tadow McDonald)

Unified Focus 2018 is underway in Douala, Cameroon.

BG William Prendergast, participates in an interview with Cameroonian media immediately following the opening ceremony for #UnifiedFocus18

ICYMI: U.S. Army Soldiers negotiate an obstacle at Ghana Armed Forces' Jungle Warfare School.

Lt. Col. Marcus S. Hunter (Left), Headquarter and Headquarter Support Battalion Commander hands off the company guidon to Cpt. Mark Owens.

U.S. Army Africa service members, civilians and family members participate in a tug of war during USARAF Organizational Day, held at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, Aug. 24, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Stefan)

Maj. Ketty Chikwekwe, officer with the Zambian Army, speaks at the “Women in Peacekeeping” panel during the Shared Accord exercise 2018, Gako, Rwanda, August 22, 2018. The panel was composed of female service members, who have served on U.N. Peacekeeping missions, as part of a discussion about the importance of women as peacekeepers.

U.S. Army Maj. Steven Overholser, Urologist with Womack Army Medical Center, and Dr. Innocent Nzeyimana, resident in Urology , conduct a surgical operation together during MEDRETE 18-5 at the Rwandan Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda, Aug. 16, 2018. MEDRETE 18-5 is the first combined effort for a medical readiness training exercise between the Rwandan government and U.S. Army Africa. MEDRETE 18-5 is part of a series of medical readiness training exercises that U.S. Army Africa is scheduled to facilitate within various countries in Africa, and serves as an opportunity for the partnered militaries to hone and strengthen their general surgery and trauma skills while reinforcing the partnership between the countries. The mutually beneficial exercise brings together Rwandan military and U.S. Army medical professionals to foster cooperation while conducting medical specific tasks. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jonathon Daniell)

“For this train and equip mission, there were over 400 hours of practical exercises and training.” 1LT Christopher Smith, 10th Mountain Division logistics platoon leader, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Shared Accord 2018 exercise participants from 15 nations and three international organizations gather for a group photo at the Rwandan Military Academy in Gako, Rwanda, Aug. 14, 2018. Shared Accord is a multi-lateral exercise intended to enhance U.S. and African forces’ capabilities to perform peacekeeping operations in support of United Nations and Africa Union mandates, while shaping the security environment, and deterring violent extremist organizations.

Ghana Armed Forces and U.S. Army National Guard saw wood at the GAF's Bundase Training Center to make desks for a local school.

A Soldier with the North Dakota National Guard lays out the plan for assembling structures at the Bundase Training Center in Ghana July 20, 2018 as part of United Accord 2018. UA18 is a Ghana Armed Forces & U.S. Army Africa hosted exercise consisting of four combined, joint components: a computer-programmed exercise (CPX), field training exercise (FTX), Jungle Warfare School (JWS) and medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). West-African partner militaries, NATO Allies and U.S. Army Africa will execute each component in Accra, Ghana and surrounding areas. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Ames)

NSUTA, Ghana — A U.S. Army Soldier, born in Africa, brought smiles to young Ghanaian students’ faces as he returned to his hometown and organized a large-scale school supply donation, July 2018.

Jungle Warfare brings a new challenge in the form of water

Jungle warfare brings new challenges to US Army participants

Jungle Warfare brings new challenges to U.S. Army participants

ACCRA, Ghana -- Every breath is a battle. Subtle wheezing from his windpipe serves as a siren song despite the noise pollution generated by an overcrowded hospital clinic. Three frail fingers stretch toward the ceiling. Only he knows if it’s a cry for water or his final prayer.

Brig. Gen. Jonathan Woodson, 3rd MEDCOM DCG, extends gratitude to Ghanaian Armed Force's 37th Military Hospital leadership at U.S. Army Africa's MEDRETE 18-4.

U.S. Army Africa Commanding General Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr. delivers his remarks at the USARAF change of command ceremony held at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, Aug. 2, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jennifer Garza)

Brig. Gen. Eugene J. LeBoeuf, left, the outgoing U.S. Army Africa acting commanding general; Marine Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, center, the U.S. Africa Command commanding general; and Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier, the incoming U.S. Army Africa commanding general, prepare for the passing of the guidon during the USARAF change of command ceremony, held at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, Aug. 2, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jennifer Garza)

Soldiers learn basics of jungle movements and signals

Ghanaian and U.S. Army Soldiers pause during United Accord's FTX to take a photo to share with friends and family.

Col. Michael M. Larsen

Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora

Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora

Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora

Soldiers from 10th Mountain and Ghana Armed Forces arm wrestle during during UA18 FTX.

Members of the Tunisian Armed forces are tested during an exercise in a simulated village. In the scenario, trainees faced an angry crowd of role-playing villagers and assisted the local police force at the Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center, June 25.

The Tunisian army is tested during an exercise scenario in Turani village. The trainees faced an angry crowd of villagers and assisted the local police force in a arresting a local mayor on charges of corruption at fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center, June 25.

Engineers from 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, build a helicopter landing zone with Ghanaian Armed Forces at the GAF's Bundase Training Center.

Participants from 10 countries celebrated the conclusion of Justified Accord 2018, a combined-joint military exercise focused on the African Union Mission in Somalia at the Uganda Peoples Defense Force Center in Jinja, Uganda, June 29.

"I joined the Army because I didn't have a lot of opportunities growing up, and I've come to love it because of the people that I get to work with. Also, I'm a patriot, and I love the United States." #USMA Cadet Nicholas Cunningham at United Accord 2018 in Accra, Ghana.

Ghanaian Armed Forces rile up US and GAF forces at the start of a two-week live fire exercise at the Bundase Training Centre.

Participating personnel pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of United Accord 2018 in Accra, Ghana, July 16, 2018. UA18 is a Ghana Armed Forces & U.S. Army Africa hosted exercise consisting of four combined, joint components: a computer-programmed exercise (CPX), field training exercise (FTX), Jungle Warfare School (JWS) and medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE). West-African partner militaries, NATO Allies and U.S. Army Africa will execute each component in Accra, Ghana and surrounding areas. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brandon Ames)

Justified Accord is an annual, combined, joint exercise bringing together personnel, African Partner militaries, police, allies, international organizations and the U.S. Army to promote interoperability between participating nations for peace keeping operations in the East Africa region.

A soldier with the Ghana Armed Forces and a Soldier with U.S. Army's 1-32 Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division greet each other during a field training exercise as part of United Accord 2018 at the Bundase Training Camp, Ghana July 16, 2018. United Accord 2018 is a Ghana Armed Forces & U.S. Army Africa hosted exercise consisting of four combined, joint components: a computer-programmed exercise (CPX), field training exercise (FTX), Jungle Warfare School (JWS) and medical readiness training exercise (MEDRETE) (U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Douglas Parker)