As Rear Admiral Anthony Kurta, commander of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, prepared for his change of command ceremony scheduled for March 27, 2010, he took time to reflect on his 14-month deployment and the changes he's seen.

"Camp Lemonnier has changed tremendously since I got here. We've increased the staff by nearly a thousand troops." said Kurta. "The increase in staff is a reflection of the more operational nature of CJTF-HOA and the United States' growing importance in Djibouti."

Before coming to Djibouti, Kurta was the director for Policy, Resources and Strategy for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa in Naples, Italy, and had a clear vision of success for CJTF-HOA.

"To me success will be when people call us U.S. Africa Command and not CJTF-HOA," he said. "When those two titles become interchangeable, that's when I'll consider our mission here a success. We're not there yet, but I believe we're firmly on that path and will achieve it in the next few years."

Kurta believes the U.S. impact on the African continent will continue to be a critical asset to the American people.

"I think it's an enduring fact that the American people are not very familiar with the continent of Africa or the security challenges we face," said Kurta. "But I think CJTF-HOA is proof that our government recognizes the importance of Africa; not just in a counter-terrorism role, but in a relationship building and humanitarian role as well."

The most important thing Kurta will take with him from CJTF-HOA is the relationships he's developed while stationed here.

"I've been impressed at the warmth and welcome provided by the Djiboutian people and other military branches," said Kurta. "When you live side by side for 14 months you really get to appreciate individual strengths from other services and cultures. The awareness you gain from a base like this makes us all a better team."

Kurta is scheduled to become the Director of Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (N13) in Washington D.C.

Kurta holds a master's degree with honors in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. He completed a tour as a national security fellow at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.