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Task Force mission over Djibouti highlights partnership and commitment

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flies a Bomber Task Force mission alongside two U.K. and two U.S. F-35 Lightning IIs from U.K. Carrier Strike Group's HMS Queen Elizabeth over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 11, 2021. The mission represented the international participants' collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa, highlighted Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region, and exercised U.S. ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

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Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom 

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Task Force mission over Djibouti highlights partnership and commitment

A Japanese P-3 Orion from the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti, flies over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 11, 2021. The mission joined a Bomber Task Force mission that represented the international participants' collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa, highlighted Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region, and exercised U.S. ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

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Photo by: Pfc. Gauret Stearns 

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Task Force mission over Djibouti highlights partnership and commitment

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flies a Bomber Task Force mission alongside two French Dassault Mirage 2000s, as well as a U.S. C-130 Hercules from Camp Lemonnier and a Japanese P-3 Orion from the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti, over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 11, 2021. The mission represented the international participants' collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa, highlighted Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region, and exercised U.S. ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

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Photo by: PO2 Class Jonathan 

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Task Force mission over Djibouti highlights partnership and commitment

A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules flies over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 11, 2021. The aircraft joined a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission that represented the international participants' collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa, highlighted Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region, and exercised U.S. ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

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Photo by: Pfc. Gauret Stearns 

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Task Force mission over Djibouti highlights partnership and commitment

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flies a Bomber Task Force mission alongside two French Dassault Mirage 2000s, as well as a U.S. C-130 Hercules from Camp Lemonnier and a Japanese P-3 Orion from the Japan Self-Defense Force Base Djibouti, over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 11, 2021. The mission represented the international participants' collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa, highlighted Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region, and exercised U.S. ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

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Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom 

** Read the report in Arabic and French.

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers from the 9th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flew a Bomber Task Force mission alongside two French Mirages, as well as two U.K. and two U.S. F-35s from U.K. Carrier Strike Group’s HMS Queen Elizabeth over Camp Lemonnier, Dijbouti, Nov. 11, 2021.

“Today’s bomber task force mission served as a visual representation of the international participants’ collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory Anderson, U.S. Africa Command Director of Operations. “And it further demonstrates Djibouti as a leading security partner in the region.”

The mission, which originated from Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., provided an opportunity for the aircrews to work with international forces aboard the carrier strike group and those assigned to Camp Lemonnier, the U.S.’s only enduring base in Africa. The mission also exercised the U.S. aircrews’ ability to operate in and through a variety of airspaces.

After flying more than 7,000 nautical miles to reach Djibouti, bomber aircrews worked with U.S. and French joint terminal attack controllers to provide simulated close air support at Djibouti’s Grand Bara Range and went on to execute the low approach above Camp Lemonnier joined by the six fighter aircraft.

"I am delighted that the UK's Carrier Strike Group is able to participate in this event, it further demonstrates that the Strike Group and this deployment is truly international by design,” said U.K. Royal Navy Commodore Steve Moorhouse OBE, Commander, U.K. Carrier Strike Group. “The ability to operate seamlessly with our allies shows that we are stronger together and underpins stability and security within the region."

The bomber task force mission coincided with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Allied Appreciation Day event where approximately 200 guests and senior leaders representing Djibouti, France, the U.K., Spain, Japan, Italy, and the U.S. came together to witness the low approach, and participate in a variety of interactive and static demonstrations. The event showcased the combined military strength present in Djibouti and served to honor the shared partnerships, history and devotion to peace celebrated during Veterans, Armistice and Remembrance days.

“Celebrating together this allied appreciation day is the symbol of our mutual involvement for peace in Horn of Africa, as in other parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel,” Air Division General Stéphane Dupont, Commander, French Forces in Djibouti. “Our action here in Djibouti is paramount for regional stability and contributes to the strengthening of the cooperation amongst our countries.”

Djibouti and the U.S. have a long history of cooperation on a variety of issues related to security and stability throughout East Africa. The strategic bombers’ flight to Djibouti underscores the U.S.’s commitment to this important ongoing partnership.