Military Review English Edition July-August 2016 | Page 118

(Photo by Tech. Sgt. Barry Loo, U.S. Air Force)

U.S. military personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa (CJTF–HOA) negotiate a water obstacle during a desert
commando course 15 March 2016 in Arta, Djibouti. Through unified action with U.S. and international partners in East Africa, CJTF–HOA
conducts security force assistance, executes military engagement, provides force protection, and provides military support to regional
counter-violent-extremist-organization operations to buttress aligned regional efforts, ensure regional access and freedom of movement,
and protect U.S. interests.

Sustainable Readiness
and Regional
Alignment of Forces
Lt. Col. Chad R. Foster, U.S. Army

T

he concept of regionally aligned forces (RAF)
offers both challenges and opportunities
for U.S. Army units at all levels. Perhaps
most pressing among the challenges is the need to
balance deployment mission requirements with the
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imperative to sustain an appropriate level of unit
readiness over time. No two overseas missions are exactly alike, and every unit has unique characteristics,
capabilities, and needs. While this reality precludes
a single, standardized solution, examining different
July-August 2016  MILITARY REVIEW