U.S. Air Force, Botswana Defense Force partner through public affairs

Maj. Christina Hoggatt, U.S. Air Forces Africa public affairs officer, observes several members of the Botswana Defense Force while they work through a public affairs training scenario May 8 in Gabarone, Botswana. Hoggatt was part of a three-person public affairs team that conducted a week-long training course for the BDF as part of AFAFRICA’s ongoing commitment to building partnership capacities with their African partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Steve Horton/Released)

U.S. Air Force, Botswana Defense Force partner through public affairs

Senior Master Sgt. Steve Horton, U.S. Air Forces Africa public affairs, conducts a training session on senior noncommissioned officer roles and responsibilities for members of the Botswana Defense Force May 9 in Gabarone, Botswana. A three-person public affairs from team conducted a week-long training course for the BDF as part of AFAFRICA’s ongoing commitment to building partnership capacities with their African partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Christina Hoggatt/Released)

U.S. Air Force, Botswana Defense Force partner through public affairs

Published May 10, 2012
By 1st Lt Adam Gregory
U.S. Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

GABORONE, Botswana -- U.S. Air Forces Africa is partnering with the Botswana Defense Force to put on a public affairs workshop here May 7-11.

More than 50 personnel from both countries are getting the chance to learn how each other conducts public affairs operations, strategic communication planning and NCO development.

"The partnership between the BDF and the U.S. is improved by continued engagements between the two forces," said Maj. C.W. Seema, BDF Public Affairs Officer.

"It is military-to-military engagements like this one that enhance our already existing relationship," said Major Seema. "Each time we do training like this, we surely close the education gap that the BDF had before."

The week's agenda includes classroom training covering PA activities as well as the PA planning piece within the Joint environment. Additionally, BDF participants worked in teams performing practical PA exercises that dealt with activities that the BDF may actually face.

"Engagements like these are a great way for our African partners to see how we do things in the U.S. military and for us to learn how they do things," said Senior Master Sgt. Steve Horton, Superintendent, U.S. Air Forces Africa public affairs. "The chance for us to learn from each other and build these partnerships is invaluable to our future endeavors throughout Botswana and Africa as a whole."

The course was a mixture of officers and NCOs who work in public affairs and other career fields who will work directly with the public, including BDF Military Police members.

"What I can emphasize is the fact that public affairs has no boundaries particularly considering the challenges brought along by Generation "Y" and "Z"," said Major Seema. "This partnership creates sharing expertise for Officers and NCOs from different arms of the BDF, at the same level, so that both are prepared to educate the public on the BDF's mission."