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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

Djiboutian soldiers with the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) stand in formation for the RIB change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II 

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) (right) shakes hands with Djiboutian Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces, during the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II 

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) (right), Djiboutian Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces (center) and French Navy Capt. Phillippe, deputy commander French Forces of Djibouti, sit during the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II 

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

Djiboutian Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces, provides remarks during the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II 

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen, commander of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, stands at attention during the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen, commander of the Rapid Intervention Battalion renders his first salute during the (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion welcomes new commander

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) (center), Djiboutian Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces (left) and French Navy Capt. Phillippe, deputy commander French Forces of Djibouti, clap during festivities following the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) change of command, in Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019. Djiboutian Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the RIB from Djiboutian Capt. Omar Ali Hassan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II 

Djiboutian army Maj. Mohamed Assowen assumed command of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) during a change of command near Djibouti City, Djibouti, Oct. 31, 2019.

The RIB’s mission is to serve as a reactionary force to accomplish specified tasks directed by their higher command in the Djiboutian army.

“The RIB is the first [Djiboutian Armed Forces] (FAD) Special Force that the Government of the United States of America has agreed to fully support…” said Djiboutian Army Lt. Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of general staff of the FAD, during the change of command. “I would like to thank the team of American instructors who spare no effort to transmit their knowledge to the soldiers of the RIB.”

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, Task Force Warrior, security forces assigned to CJTF-HOA, provide training to the RIB soldiers in U.S. Army basic warrior tasks, combatives, and combat life-saving skills.

“We at CJTF-HOA work to facilitate programs that support the development of capable, professional African partner military forces,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, commanding general of CJTF-HOA. “Our continued commitment to the training and equipping of the RIB is an important part of that development. We look forward to working with the incoming commander and wish the outgoing commander luck.”

The RIB is a by-product of AFRICOM’s commanding general working with the Djiboutian Chairman of Defense to maintain partnerships in the region, said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Adrian Lopez, RIB project officer assigned to CJTF-HOA. The idea is to have an elite Djiboutian military unit that is trained and equipped by the U.S. military.

“As I address all officers, non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned members of the RIB,” said Zakaria. “I urge you to show exemplary leadership, cohesion and unfailing discipline and always keep your unity spirit in mind.”