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U.S. Army civil affairs personnel and Chad’s elite antiterrorism forces have completed a joint training engagement in N’Djamena, strengthening operational coordination and civil-military capabilities in support of regional security.
Members of the U.S. Army’s 91st Civil Affairs Battalion trained alongside the Chadian Division des Groupements Spéciaux Antiterrorisme–Pan Sahel Initiative (DGSAT-PSI) during a multi-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET). The bilateral engagement focused on exchanging expertise, improving tactical readiness and reinforcing cooperation between the two forces.
The programme combined civil engagement, civil reconnaissance and tactical combat casualty care. Training covered approaches to building community trust, assessing local needs and identifying vulnerabilities, alongside battlefield medical skills designed to improve survivability.
The emphasis on civil-military skills highlighted the role of relationships with local communities in supporting security operations. By combining community engagement with tactical preparation, the exchange sought to strengthen the participating forces’ ability to address security challenges across the Sahel.
“This training represents a significant milestone in our relationship with Chad’s antiterrorism forces,” said U.S. Army Capt. Ashley Johnson of the 91st Civil Affairs Battalion. She emphasised that sharing knowledge and expertise strengthens the partners’ ability to pursue common regional objectives.
JCET engagements form part of Special Operations Command Africa’s partnership-focused approach, supporting the development of partner forces’ capacity to manage security threats within their own borders.
William Flens, U.S. Embassy Chad Chargé d’Affaires, said the side-by-side training had reinforced the relationship between the DGSAT-PSI and the U.S. Civil Affairs team, contributing to a more effective and enduring partnership.
Source: Special Operations Command Africa; original reporting by Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McElderry, 1 October 2026.
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