Why is the national guard going to africa?

Why is the National Guard Going to Africa?

The National Guard, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, has been increasingly involved in military operations and training exercises in Africa in recent years. This has raised questions about the purpose and significance of these deployments. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the National Guard’s presence in Africa and examine the implications of these deployments.

Understanding the National Guard

Before we delve into the specifics of the National Guard’s presence in Africa, it is essential to understand its role and composition. The National Guard is a part of the US military’s reserve component, comprising the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Both components are composed of Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen who serve a dual role: they are both members of the active-duty military and part-time reservists.

Historical Context

The US military has a long history of involvement in Africa, dating back to the 19th century. The US has maintained a military presence in Africa since the early 20th century, with operations in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Libya. However, the current era of National Guard deployments to Africa is a more recent development, dating back to the 1990s.

Why is the National Guard Going to Africa?

So, why is the National Guard going to Africa? There are several reasons for this increased presence:

• Counterterrorism: The US military has been involved in counterterrorism operations in Africa since the 1990s. The National Guard has played a significant role in these operations, providing military training and assistance to partner countries.
• Conflict Prevention: The National Guard has been deployed to Africa to prevent conflicts from erupting or escalating. For example, in 2013, the National Guard was deployed to Mali to support French and African military forces in their efforts to oust Islamist rebels.
• Humanitarian Assistance: The National Guard has been involved in humanitarian assistance missions in Africa, providing disaster relief and support to vulnerable populations.
• Security Cooperation: The National Guard has been deployed to Africa to support security cooperation efforts between the US and partner countries. This includes training and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening partner nations’ military capabilities.

Recent Deployments

Recent National Guard deployments to Africa include:

• Exercise Flintlock: This is an annual exercise that takes place in several African countries, including Chad, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The exercise aims to improve security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts between the US and partner countries.
• Exercise African Lion: This exercise takes place in Morocco and aims to improve military relationships and interoperability between the US and partner countries.
• Operation Juniper Shield: This operation, launched in 2013, aimed to support the French military’s efforts to oust Islamist rebels from northern Mali.

Implications

The National Guard’s presence in Africa has significant implications for the US and its partner countries. These deployments:

• Strengthen Security Cooperation: By deploying the National Guard to Africa, the US is able to strengthen its security cooperation efforts with partner countries, improving military interoperability and capacity-building initiatives.
• Enhance Counterterrorism Efforts: The National Guard’s counterterrorism operations in Africa are aimed at disrupting and degrading terrorist organizations, reducing the threat they pose to the US and its partners.
• Support Humanitarian Assistance: The National Guard’s humanitarian assistance efforts in Africa provide critical support to vulnerable populations, addressing the root causes of conflicts and promoting stability.
• Raise Concerns about Imperialism: Some critics argue that the National Guard’s presence in Africa is a form of imperialism, perpetuating US dominance and control over the continent. However, proponents argue that these deployments are necessary to promote stability and security.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the National Guard is going to Africa for several reasons, including counterterrorism, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance, and security cooperation. Recent deployments have seen the National Guard involved in a range of operations, from exercises and training missions to combat operations and humanitarian assistance efforts. While some may raise concerns about the implications of these deployments, they are an essential part of promoting stability and security in Africa.

Table: Recent National Guard Deployments to Africa

Bullets:

• The National Guard is a reserve component of the US Armed Forces, comprising the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard.
• The National Guard has a long history of involvement in Africa, dating back to the 19th century.
• The US military has been involved in counterterrorism operations in Africa since the 1990s.
• The National Guard has been deployed to Africa to prevent conflicts from erupting or escalating.
• The National Guard has been involved in humanitarian assistance missions in Africa, providing disaster relief and support to vulnerable populations.
• The National Guard has been deployed to Africa to support security cooperation efforts between the US and partner countries.