U.S. Marines assist Ugandan military in engineering capabilities

CAMP SINGO, Uganda, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines and sailors are helping the Uganda People's Defense Force build engineering and logistical capabilities.

The assistance marks the second mission to Uganda for the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa Marines, with the first one occurring in late August. First Lt. Christopher Leisring said the new mission allows his team to specifically perform Mine-Resistant, Ambushed-Protected vehicle maintenance, aiming to aid the Ugandan forces with identifying and avoiding threats posed by improvised explosive devices.

"The first iteration focused heavily on MRAP maintenance and heavy equipment operations," Leisring said in a statement.

The U.S. Marine assistance and training in Uganda follows the delivery of Mine-Resistant Ambushed-Protected vehicles to the country in an effort to support the African Union's fight against terrorist group Al-Shabab in Somalia. According to the Marines, improvised explosive devices are one of the largest threats presented by the terror group.

"This nine-week period we are covering MRAP maintenance and operations, communications, radio operations, medical, heavy equipment operations, utilities, civil engineering and demolitions. We have expanded the scope of the mission here," Leisring added.