1 

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) 

 News from the Front 

U.S./Kenyan Marine Operations and Maintenance Seminar 

Joint & Multinational Interoperability to build capacity for East African 

Partner Nations 

SGM John R. Hilton 

CALL ELNO to CJTF HOA 

January 29, 2016

“One head cannot hold all wisdom”

Massai Proverb
2 

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

Table of Contents

Introduction / background .......................................................................................... 3

Sustainability ............................................................................................................. 3

Exchanging Best Practices and Identifying a ‘Way Forward’ ................................... 3

Lessons Learned ........................................................................................................ 4

Summary .................................................................................................................... 5

 

Participating members from Kenyan Navy Boat Unit 1 pose in front of the 

camp colors.
3 

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

Introduction and Background 

On 17 and 18 January, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) invited 

members of the Kenyan Navy to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti for a seminar focused on tactical 

operations and maintenance techniques. Hosting the Kenyan Navy was the Coastal Riverine 

Squadron 10 (FWD) and members of the Fusion Action Cell and D/403rd Civil Affairs. Five 

members of the Kenyan Navy Boat Unit 1 (WO1, 2 SGT, 2 CPL), Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 

Forward (Ensign, 2 CPOs, 2 Sailors), and members of the Fusion Cell – Hive (Kenya LTC, US 

LTC, 2LTs, SFC) plus a SGT Civil Affairs took part in the seminar. 

Sustainability 

The main effort within the Horn of Africa is developing capabilities for their East African Partners 

within their Area of Responsibility. That effort includes training and mil-to-mil engagements that 

focus on maintenance, logistics, and ‘train-the-trainer’ events, instead of basic skills training over 

and over again. This engagement in particular, focused on maintenance procedures, so that the 

Kenyan Navy will be able to maintain a higher operational rate for their fleet. 

Kenya is one of the Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM (African Union Mission in 

Somalia). A part of the Kenyan Defense Force, the Kenyan Navy plays a crucial role in the 

defense of Kenya and its infrastructure. 

Several members from the Coastal Riverine Squadron noted in their After Action Review that 

Kenyan Boat Team 1 personnel were very skilled and capable of doing their jobs. They stated that 

with the proper repair tools and a little bit of extra knowledge, they will become more selfsufficient and self-sustainable with their maintenance program; ultimately resulting in a higher 

operational rate for their fleet. 

“When we get together with other nations to share best practices, both parties benefit.”

LTC Robert D Holley, CJTF-HOA FAC-HIVE Desk Lead

Exchanging Best Practices and A Way Forward 

The seminar itself lasted for two days. During the two days, both the Riverine Squadron and Boat 

Team 1 worked side-by-side on one of the Squadron’s boats and had round-table discussions on 

marine topics that included tactical patrol techniques, maintenance schedules, and 

tools/techniques/tips for keeping a fleet operationally ready. 

This was the very first engagement with the Kenyan Navy. Part of every ‘first engagement’ with 

the African Partners is an overall assessment and planning for follow-on engagements. 

Senior members of the Coastal Riverine Squadron were able to conduct some gap analyses and 

identified some needs of the Kenyan Navy. The members of the both the Coastal Riverine 

Squadron and the Kenyan Navy were quick to point out: 

 There is a need for more robust maintenance training for the lower enlisted Navy 

Ranks. 
4 

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

 Interim measures should include visits to the Kenyan Navy by members of the 

Coastal Riverine Squadron. 

Lessons Learned 

A few lessons for follow-on engagements were agreed upon; the first being that follow-on 

engagements, both here and Kenya, are needed to attain a level of self-sustainability in the Kenyan 

Navy. Others are: 

 Follow-on engagements need to be longer, at least six days, for more hands-on time to 

diagnose and repair the more difficult and uncommon issues. 

 At least one engagement is needed at the Kenyan’s location focusing on: 

 Supply and repair parts systems 

 Facilities and tools for maintenance 

 Information and reference systems, to include manuals and databases 

 The next engagements need to include time on the water to assess/show the 

capabilities of the craft, and to demonstrate patrolling tactics and techniques. 

Summary 

In summary, the event proved beneficial for both sides. Expertise and knowledge was exchanged 

with each side learning from each other. A plan was identified for future engagements to 

ultimately result in the need for no more engagements. 

“At times you have problems that you are not able to fix, and you find that your 

international partners have had the problem, and know the solution. By sharing this 

Service Members from the U.S. Navy and Kenyan Navy perform 

operator-level maintenance on one of the Coastal Riverine Squadron’s 

boats.
5 

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE 

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

information, you can be ready when put into tough situations where it’s key to maintain, 

troubleshoot and repair your equipment”

WO1 Daniel Kwayo, Kenyan Defense Forces Navy