AFRICOM PROTECTS AMERICANS IN AFRICA, RESCUES NUN FROM LOUISIANA
When an 83-year-old nun from Louisiana gets kidnapped by gunmen after serving in Burkina Faso, well, that's enough to shock anyone, anywhere. Sadly, this was the all-too-real situation that Suellen Tennyson found herself in. Found, as in past tense, thankfully, because she has now been located and rescued, according to both Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and AFRICOM personnel. Read next:Javelin Missiles Achieve Sainthood in Ukraine
What Is AFRICOM?
The United States Africa Command, or AFRICOM, is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the Department of Defense DoD. You can find the AFRICOM headquarters based at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. A major responsibility of its ministry is conducting U.S. military operations, including resolving regional conflicts and maintaining military relations with 53 African nations. All of Africa except Egypt falls under its jurisdiction. Created in 2007 and activated a year later, U.S. AFRICOM has had direct influence throughout the continent and continues to serve in the region to ensure the safety and security of Americans and others. A notable example of an operation involving AFRICOM would be the 2011 Libyan military intervention stemming from a NATO-led coalition sent to stabilize the country. Though there are multiple task forces and other organizational divisions, there are four main parts that make up AFRICOM in much the same way that the U.S. Armed Forces are constructed:
- U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF).
- U.S. Naval Forces, Africa (NAVAF).
- U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA).
- U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Africa (MARFORAF).
As of August 2022, Gen. Michael Langley of the U.S. Marine Corps is the AFRICOM Commander.
Sister Suellen Tennyson Is Coming Home
When news broke that an 83-year-old American nun was kidnapped in West Africa, things obviously seemed bleak. While serving as a sister in the Marianites of Holy Cross in the Catholic Diocese of Kaya in Burkina Faso, Sister Tennyson was kidnapped. As if this wasn’t bad enough, there were additional health concerns due to her age and her need for blood pressure medication. But this story now has a much happier ending than first feared. It’s now being reported that Tennyson has been freed by her captors. This was confirmed in a statement by SOCOM Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley while vaguely mentioning a rescue mission during a ceremony, among other sources. "On the afternoon of August 29, U.S. Africa Command personnel facilitated the safe turnover of an American citizen who had been held hostage by terrorists in a remote area of West Africa. U.S. Africa Command would like to thank all of our African and international partners who provided excellent cooperation over the months leading up to this recovery, in particular, the government of Niger, who were critical to this effort.," said AFRICOM spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Timothy S. Pietrack.
AFRICOM Hostage Rescue Is a Sad Necessity
It’s an unfortunate truth, but Africa, like other regions, has to deal with inhumane terrorist groups who need funding for their causes. As you can imagine, it can be difficult to fund global acts of terror, so many resort to holding hostages for ransom through kidnapping. Armed with nothing but pure intentions and her religious beliefs, Sister Tennyson sadly came across terrible individuals, but she gets to extend her life thanks in part to AFRICOM and the brave individuals who serve in the region. It’s less than convenient, but having American Forces in the area helps provide security to Americans traveling and living abroad. Suggested read:How the SS Marine Electric Disaster Inspired a Rescue Swimmer Program
Images: africom.mil by Jason Johnston | americamagazine.org
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