New USO brings pickleball and pancakes to troops fighting al-Shabab in Somalia

Bingo, protein pancakes and video games have arrived at a U.S. military outpost in Somalia, offering troops a bit of normalcy at a remote installation where they are also training for the possibility of coming under attack.

A new USO center recently opened at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, a remote outpost where U.S. troops operate as part of an American counterterrorism mission against al-Shabab in southern Somalia.

“Being away from home can be stressful, so the USO gives us somewhere to take our minds off work for a little while, hang out, play games and build a stronger sense of community,” Army Sgt. Elizabeth Thompson, a vehicle mechanic deployed to Kismayo, said in a statement Thursday.

Just a few days before the USO’s grand opening, troops from the East African Response Force flew into Kismayo for an exercise built around reinforcing the installation during a crisis. The training included troops responsible for base defenses, mortars, medical care and coordinating air support.

“This exercise demonstrated our ability to quickly reinforce a position that is possibly getting overrun,” Army 1st Lt. Ethan White, an East African Response Force platoon leader, said in a statement at the time.

U.S. Navy Lt. Joe Bevilacqua mixes pancake batter at the newly opened USO location at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, Aug. 23, 2026. The new United Service Organizations space at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, gives deployed personnel a place for recreation and off-duty activities. (Abigail Duell/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. service members cook pancakes at the newly opened USO location at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, Aug. 23, 2026. The new United Service Organizations space at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, gives deployed personnel a place for recreation and off-duty activities. (Abigail Duell/U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. military mission in Somalia largely operates outside public view, though American troops there have come under fire over the years.

In recent months, AFRICOM has stepped up airstrikes against al-Shabab, an Islamic militant group seeking for decades to topple the U.S.-backed Somali government. The group has been frequently targeted in the vicinity of Kismayo.

It’s not clear how many troops the U.S. has at the Kismayo site. For security reasons, U.S. Africa Command generally doesn’t detail such numbers.

However, news releases about airstrikes and infrastructure projects such as the new USO facility spotlights AFRICOM’s evolving approach to Somalia.

When the command was founded in 2007, officials at AFRICOM’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, rarely spoke publicly about a U.S. military role in Somalia. The command’s early public messaging emphasized partnerships, training and humanitarian work.

Today, AFRICOM routinely announces airstrikes against al-Shabab and Islamic State fighters in Somalia, along with updates about troops and facilities, such as the new USO center.

To build the new USO facility, Army engineers deployed to Kismayo over the past year, military officials said.

U.S. service members play bingo following the opening of a new USO space at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, Aug. 22, 2026. The new United Service Organizations space at Cooperative Security Location Kismayo, Somalia, gives deployed personnel a place for recreation and off-duty activities. (Abigail Duell/U.S. Air Force)

The facility comes equipped with televisions and gaming consoles, a library, board games, snacks and drinks. Opening week included pickleball and cornhole tournaments, bingo and a protein pancake breakfast.

“Even having a small break from the everyday routine can help alleviate stress and make being away from home a little easier,” Thompson said.