The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, together with the United Kingdom presented the Command & Control Communications Information Systems (C2CIS) equipment to Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), on 28th March 2019 at the Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.
On behalf of the Danish and United Kingdom Governments, the equipment was handed over to EASF by the Danish Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Nina Berg and the Representative of UK Col. Freddie Ground. Also present during the ceremony were the Danish Defence Attache to Kenya Colonel Joern Rasmussen and the Danish Technical Advisor to EASF, Colonel Claus Pedersen.
The Deputy Ambassador applauded the numerous milestones EASF has achieved since it established in 2004. Since 2011, EASF has been a very important partner to the Danish Peace and Security program, working together closely in many capacities building activities.
EASF attained its Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2014 and has since then continued to focus on maintaining and enhancing this operational capability. The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark in partnership with the United Kingdom have been supporting the Standby Force in establishing a modem of Command & Control, Communication Information System that was handed over to EASF on the 28th of March 2019.
The EASF Director Dr. Abdillahi Omar Bouh underlined the regional peacekeeper’s focus on capacity building with the goal of establishing a tangible force ready for deployment. Significant progress has been made to ensure readiness in the event that EASF is called upon to deploy forces both within the region or elsewhere on the continent.
According to Dr. Bouh, the procured satellite communications system will augment the requirement for establishing strategic communication links between EASF Secretariat, Rear Force Headquarters, Logistics’ Base and Mission Area Components. Subsequently, installation and operational training has been conducted with focus on EASF CIS Staff Members as well as a detachment of the Signal Squadron of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The EASF Director conveyed his warmest regards to the peoples of the two countries and appreciated the strong partnership which has been crucial to EASF's capacity building efforts.
The Government of the United Kingdom was represented by Col. Freddie Ground.
Photo Gallery: EASF Receives Satellite Communications Equipment

The EASF Director receives the Guests of Honor at the Secretariat - left to right - Colonel Victor Shuguli of KDF, UK Col. Freddie Ground of BPSTA, EASF Director Dr. Abdillahi Omar Bouh, the Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg and Danish Defence Attache Colonel Joern Rasmusssen.

Left to right - the Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg, EASF Director Dr. Bouh, the Danish Defence Attache Colonel Joern Rasmusssen and the Danish Technical Advisor to EASF Col. Claus Pedersen

The EASF Chief of Staff - left - with two EASF Technical Advisors during the Handover Ceremony

EASF IT Officer Mr. Ibrahim Moumine - left -, the Chairman of the Project Group Rtd Colonel Kurt Refsgaard - middle - and an EASF CIS Personnel - right - during the Handover ceremony

The EASF Head of Peace Operations Department Brigadier Albert Kendagor addresses the Handover ceremony.

The Chairman of the Project Group Rtd Colonel Kurt Refsgaard representing the Danish military addresses the Handover ceremony

The EASF IT Assistant Mr. Vincent Kamau briefs the guests on some of the Satellite Communications equipment donated by the Kingdom of Denmark and United Kingdom at EASF Secretariat on 28th March 2019.

A demonstration of the live Satellite Communication link is done for the Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg accompanied by Director Dr. Bouh

The Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg - left -, EASF Director Dr. Bouh - middle - and UK Col. Freddie Ground of BPSTA - right - during a round of equipment inspection on 28th March 2019

Members of Kenya Defence Forces Signal Squadron who have been training on the use of Satellite equipment at the Secretariat in Karen meeting the officials.

EASF has received four Satellite Communications Terminals from the Government of Denmark and the United Kingdom

The equipment ensures that EASF can now deploy in any remote location on the African continent and establish its own communications network.

One of the Fly-Away kits donated by the Government of Denmark and the United Kingdom

EASF Director Dr. Bouh presents a certificate of course completion to a member of Kenya Defence Forces Signal Squadron on 28th March 2019

The Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg presents a certificate to a trainee from the Signal Squadron

The UK Representative from BPSTA Col. Freddie Ground presents a certificate of course completion to one of the participants.

The Danish Defence Attache Colonel Joern Rasmusssen presents a certificate of course completion to EASFs Head of Communications Section

The Danish Deputy Ambassador Her Excellency Nina Berg - left -, EASF Director Dr. Bouh and UK Col. Freddie Ground of BPSTA representing the United Kingdom, sign the Satellite Equipment Handover documents on 28th March 2019.