VICENZA, Italy - A four-person U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) civil affairs team observed Côte d'Ivoire's national assault police unit, known as Force de Recherche et d'Assaut de la Police (FRAP), practicing close-quarters battle tactics July 14, and conducted a medical knowledge exchange July 16 in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.

The team's primary mission in Côte d'Ivoire is to strengthen the Forces Armées de Côte d'Ivoire (FACI) civil affairs capability. The team engages with host-nation civil affairs coordinators to expand their skills for operations in the northern part of the country. FRAP partners with FACI, and that relationship offers the civil affairs team another channel to understand civil vulnerabilities and improves burden-sharing.

SETAF-AF's civil affairs team engaged with FRAP members in training focused on room-clearing drills and point-of-injury care, strengthening a community-rooted relationship that collects civil information and improves information flow.

Two law enforcement units trained under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program continue to operate in the northern operational zone with ATA-provided gear: FRAP, a quick-reaction force that responds to improvised explosive devices and hostile incidents, and the National Gendarmerie Intervention Unit, which is an elite law enforcement unit.

"We engage with civil affairs coordinators to expand their knowledge for the northern operational zone, an area prone to terrorism, illicit mining and cattle trafficking," said U.S. Army Capt. Pauline Ovalle, team leader, Alpha Company, Civil Affairs Battalion, SETAF-AF.

On July 14, the team observed 15 FRAP members conduct a training scenario based on a reported terrorist presence inside a building complex with an outer cordon already established. Teams rehearsed room clearing, crossed danger areas and executed arrest-and-search procedures while maintaining constant communication.

After the training, FRAP leaders and the U.S. Soldiers gathered around a makeshift terrain model for an after-action review that resulted in focused recommendations for improvements. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Baisley, team sergeant, provided feedback on detainee handling techniques, which FRAP integrated into its procedures.

"Their baseline is extremely similar to a lot of the U.S. military-based training," Baisley said. "A lot of their tactics, techniques and procedures are based upon things that we already inherently do."

Baisley noted that the FRAP members were highly professional and receptive. He explained that the recommendations focused on refining their tactics, such as tightening sequencing and maintaining strict security while crossing open areas to reduce exposure.

Two days later, the focus shifted from offensive tactics to first aid. U.S. Army Sgt. Christian Hellwig, team medic, led hands-on tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and combat lifesaver (CLS) training sessions. Fourteen FRAP personnel practiced tourniquet application on arms and legs, and instructors answered specific questions about recovery positions and when to apply a second tourniquet. The medical training reinforced skills from previous U.S. exchanges, demonstrating that long-term investments can yield practical capabilities.

"Our medic showed TCCC and CLS techniques they had learned through the ATA program," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Chanson, civil affairs noncommissioned officer. "They even used English anatomical terms and trained with tourniquets provided through the ATA program."

To synchronize efforts and sustain the team's progress, the civil affairs team shared its observations with other U.S. special operations forces in the region. They recommended that a special forces element lead the next phase of FRAP training to build on the progress made.

Their work in Korhogo is just one part of the team's broader efforts. Next, the SETAF-AF civil affairs team will host a two-week course at the Côte d'Ivoire's Armed Forces Academy in Yamoussoukro to finalize the civil affairs coordinator training launched last year. The effort will qualify 34 FACI civil affairs coordinators to advise their commanders and synchronize civil-military actions across the northern operational zone.

"We're helping FACI civil affairs coordinators address the civil vulnerabilities they face," Ovalle said.

FACI's training material is based on the U.S. Army's field manual 3-57, a doctrine for civil affairs operations, translated into French. The Côte d'Ivoire coordinators received the manual during a previous training event, and they plan to adapt it further to create a doctrine tailored to their country's needs.

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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