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MOMBASA, Kenya (April 16, 2009) - U.S. Army
Central Public Affairs took part in an information exchange with
the Kenya Army in Mombasa, Kenya April 14-16.
The event's purpose was to parallel what the representatives
from both armies know about public affairs and to help each other
understand the role that public affairs plays in military media
operations.
"The purpose of this exchange was to build on the success of the
first public affairs exchange that took place in July," said Maj.
Amanda Azubuike, media operations officer, USARCENT. "The Kenya
Army requested the exchanges and decided to use the Land Forces
Symposium as a practical exercise and culminating event for Phase
II of a three phase exchange."
LFS is an annual forum that brings together international
military leaders to discuss common challenges, exchange views and
foster security cooperation throughout the region while
strengthening relationships among partner nations.
"Prior to the first exchange, journalists had been recruited to
strengthen the role of public affairs in Kenya's military," said
Mr. Bogita Ongeri, Kenya Armed Forces Public Relations Officer.
"The second public affairs exchange included the trained military
journalist from the Kenya Ministry of State for Defence in the
program."
Day one of the exchange emphasized the role that public affairs
plays in getting the military's message to the general public and
the importance of media relations to the military.
Azubuike led the class and presented a slide show presentation
to explain the public affairs' role in facilitating media on the
battlefield and the purpose of a media operations center.
Day two involved discussion about how to communicate necessary
information to civilian media in the form of queries and press
releases.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. David Rhodes, public affairs
non-commissioned officer in charge, USARCENT, explained that
preparation is the key to maintaining the public affairs policy of
maximum disclosure of information about operations and events that
take place within the military with minimum delay. He also
emphasized the importance of accuracy of the information and
maintaining credibility.
"We do a lot of media relations in our jobs so it is important
to share this information on public communications in a bid to be
more effective in public communication strategies," said
Ongeri.
The exchange concluded with a round of practical exercises that
demonstrated uses for all of the topics that were discussed so that
those who attended could get a real world feel for the public
affairs mission.
"Exchanges like this are important to share ideas and improve
interoperability and cooperation among our partner nations," said
U.S. Army Col. Thomas Nickerson, chief public affairs officer,
USARCENT.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Ongeri.
"The goal is to harmonize the information that we are supposed
to give out so that we have consistency when it comes to public
communication," said Ongeri.
Kenya Armed Forces public affairs and USARCENT public affairs
will work together in support of the upcoming Land Forces Symposium
as the culminating event to the exchange.
There is one more exchange slated to take place so that the
improvement of cooperation and interoperability between the two
countries can continue to grow.
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