Missouri Guardsman trains Malawi Defense Forces in Africa

Sgt. 1st Class Brian Underwood (center) covers basic load planning for air operations during African Deployment Partnership Training in Salima, Malawi. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Capt. Brad Copas.)

By Jennifer Archdekin
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

SALIMA, Malawi - In conjunction with U.S. Army Africa, Missouri Guardsman Sgt. 1st Class Brian Underwood, of Pleasant Hill, traveled in January to Salima, Malawi in southeast Africa to instruct some 20 Soldiers from the Malawi Defense Forces.

Underwood currently serves in the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City as the transportation management coordinator. His unique military training for this position, rank and level of experience was invaluable for this mission.

As part of the African Deployment Partnership Training, Underwood and two other U.S. Army instructors provided instruction on how the U.S. Army conducts personnel and cargo movement operations in a joint forces environment.

Underwood was the primary instructor for courses such as movement planning, movement operations for land, air and sea, as well as international law. He said there are a lot of moving pieces in executing the practical application, while simultaneously balancing interagency coordination requirements, which takes detailed planning and orchestration, especially when it involves multinational forces.

"Malawi is in a position to conduct joint operations with any of the other 52 countries in Africa in terms of personnel and cargo movement while operating under U.N. mandates," said Underwood. "It's possible that in the future the U.S. could conduct a joint operation with Malawi, so it's important for them to understand how we do business."

In 2008, Underwood deployed with his brigade to Kosovo, utilizing the same movement skills he used while training the African troops. During his deployment he moved his brigade from Missouri to the mob station to Germany to Kosovo and back to Missouri. Prior to leaving Kosovo, Underwood was sent to Germany to assist with mobilization efforts of the incoming relief forces, too.

"That's probably one reason I was asked, because I have some institutional knowledge of how this works," said Underwood. "There are just a few of us, maybe a handful in the state, with this training at my level."

Before going on the mission, Underwood admitted he had a preconceived notion of what to expect and was pleasantly surprised once he started working with the Soldiers.

"It was actually quite different," said Underwood. "They brought the foundational pieces to the table that proved to us they had the capability and the want-to to take this information, and learn and then use it, which was the intent. They were completely soaking in the information."

Though he was in Africa to teach the Soldiers, Underwood said that the learning went both ways.

"I was sent there to instruct, but in fact I learned a great deal from them -- their professionalism, their discipline, their attention to detail," said Underwood. "That's what I really brought back with me."

On a personal level, Underwood now plans to take this experience and use it in his senior leadership course in June. This 40-hour course is required for advancement to his next rank.

"I'm going to use it as a knowledge sharing tool," said Underwood. "It's something I can bring to the course that may benefit the cadre staff and the students, as well, and let them know what we're doing internationally."

Ultimately the mission was a success for both the Malawi Defense Forces and the Missouri National Guard.

"What Missouri gained was a sharpened skill set for their Soldier in this field," said Underwood. "The Guard did me a favor. It further compliments the Missouri Guard's capabilities with this type of mission because it is credible exposure. Intrinsically, that is always valuable."

Underwood also works full time with the Missouri National Guard as the projects officer with the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. He has been a Missouri Guardsman for 12 years and has 17 years military service.

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Recently, 22 Malawian Army and Air Corps personnel recently took part in African Deployment Partnership Training in Salima, Malawi. U.S. Army Africa Capt. Brad Copas (top row, far right) worked as the ADAPT Deployment Training Course facilitator. He and Sgt. 1st Class Brian Underwood (second row, far left) and Maj. Brooke Grubb (top row, far left) combined as instructors for training that covered basic convoy training, load plans and unit movement operations. Grubb and Underwood are Army National Guard Soldiers hailing from Tennessee and Missouri respectively.