In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa.
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa celebrates Partner Appreciation Day
12:00 AM11/8/2023
The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and partners from Djibouti alongside seven other allied nations celebrated Partner Appreciation Day Nov. 8, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Capt. Trey Maevers, 294th Engineer Support Company commander, speaks at his unit’s transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 18th, 2023. The 294th ESC completed 67 construction projects totalling over $10 million across the region during their time at the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
U.S. Army Capt. Trey Maevers, 294th Engineer Support Company commander, sheathes his unit’s guidon during their transfer of authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 18th, 2023. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to another.
Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at the transfer of authority ceremony between the 294th Engineer Support Company and the 1782nd ESC at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 18th, 2023. The engineering company’s mission, in support of CJTF-HOA and U.S. Africa Command, aims to support regional stability and improve relationships with partner nations through a variety of construction projects coordinated throughout CJTF-HOA’s area of interest.
Members of the 294th Engineer Support Company, the outgoing engineers, pose for a group photo after their transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Oct. 18, 2023. Over the course of their deployment, the 294th provided force protection engineering, general construction, increased capacity for life support, and engineering support to other units within the Horn of Africa.
1st Sgt. Michael Sarkkinen, 1782nd Engineer Support Company first sergeant, unfurls his unit’s guidon during their transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 18, 2023. The 1782nd ESC arrived from South Carolina to take up the engineering mission at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
294th ESC transfers responsibility of engineering mission to 1782nd ESC
12:00 AM10/18/2023
The 294th Engineer Support Company (ESC) transferred authority of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) engineering mission to the 1782nd Engineer Support Company during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 18, 2023.
U.S. service members from the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 course stand for a group photo at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti, Sept. 26, 2023. The WPS course focuses on integrating gender perspectives across management, development, and employment within the joint forces. (Department of Defense photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, gives a speech during the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 class at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti, Sept. 26, 2023. Shawley emphasized to the class of over 40 U.S. service members the importance of WPS and how their expertise will be depended upon when attempting to educate commands on both the African continent and back at their home units.. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
U.S. service members from the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 course engage in breakaway discussion groups at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti Sept. 26, 2023. The WPS course focuses on integrating gender perspectives across management, development, and employment within the joint forces.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
U.S. Army Col. Antionette Mulholland, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa logistics director, takes notes during a group discussion for her Women, Peace, and Security level 100 course at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti, Sept. 26, 2023. Mulholland discussed the importance of bringing in different gender and racial perspectives in the armed forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and Denise Phillips, WPS gender advisor, watch over discussion groups during the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 class at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti, Sept. 26, 2023. Shawley visited the class to learn about how WPS is being taught and applied by U.S. service members under her command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, CJTF-HOA commanding general, joins a group of U.S. service members as they discuss ways to more proactively integrate WPS in their operational environment at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti, Sept. 26, 2023. During the class, men and women from all branches of service and backgrounds led discussions on how to make their workplace more secure and accepting of different gender perspectives. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
U.S. service members from the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 course engage in breakaway discussion groups at the Sheraton Hotel, Djibouti Sept. 26, 2023. The WPS course focuses on integrating gender perspectives across management, development, and employment within the joint forces.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
CJTF - HOA Hosts Women, Peace, and Security Summit
12:00 AM9/26/2023
Service members from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa met at the Sheraton Hotel Djibouti for the Women, Peace, and Security level 100 course. Through the course they focused on what it means to be a gender focal point within the ranks of the armed forces.
U.S. Army Spc. Sean Carney, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa radio maintenance specialist, adjusts a satellite dish during a communications exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 23, 2023. Communications specialists support everyone from security forces, the East Africa Response Force, and training exercises to the more mundane daily activities of sending emails and browsing the web.
U.S. Army Spc. Phantajia Smith, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa radio maintenance specialist, configures a radio antenna during a communications exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 27, 2023. Communications specialists are functional experts in the realms of fixing and providing the technology for anyone leaving the confines of Camp Lemonnier.
U.S. Army Spc. Phantajia Smith, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa radio maintenance specialist, adjusts a radio system during a communications exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 24, 2023. Communications troops host a monthly communications exercise, testing networks and communications across a range of means, to ensure no matter what happens, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stays in constant contact with those conducting missions.
The Expeditionary Communications Directorate’s overall mission is to provide the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the best advice on equipment and capability while advancing cyber defense, and joint and coalition interoperability. This enables the joint force to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic access, influence, operations, and regional security throughout East Africa.
Djibouti, U.S. celebrate relationships with Partner Appreciation Day
12:04 PM11/17/2022
The goal of the event was to celebrate the U.S.’ two-decades long commitment to allies and partners in East Africa on the 20th anniversary of the arrival of U.S. military troops in the region following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
CJTF-HOA, partners build school library in Djibouti
12:00 AM10/13/2022
The Balbala 7 Library is a combined project that provides education opportunities to local children and is designed to give back to the local community.
Adbi Dirir, Djibouti Ministry of Education secretary general, speaks during an opening ceremony for a Library at the Balbala 7 School in Balbala, Djibouti, Oct. 4, 2022. The Balbala 7 Library is a combined project that provides education opportunities to local children and gives thanks to the local community.
Brig. Gen. Steven Case, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa deputy commanding general, speaks at an opening ceremony for a Library at the Balbala 7 School in Balbala, Djibouti, Oct. 4, 2022. The Library is the first of many construction projects Civil Affairs, CJTF-HOA Army Engineers and U.S. partners and allies will work on across Djibouti and East Africa.
Books line the shelves in a new Library at the Balbala 7 School built and furnished by coalition partners from the U.S. Military, U.S. State Department, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish militaries at Balabala, Djibouti, Oct. 4 2022. Spanish military members provided books and reading materials, and the Japanese and Italian military members provided furniture for the interior.
Department of State and Defense officials meet for 2022 East African Security Forum
1:54 PM5/16/2022
Maj. Gen. William Zana, commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, hosted the forum, which provided a face-to-face platform for representatives with the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, U,S. Agency for International Development, and National Security Council. The discussions ranged from overarching long-term strategy to specific security threats in the region.
Combined joint task force in Africa welcomes first female commanding general
12:00 AM5/14/2022
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Zana during a change of command ceremony May 14, 2022. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) presided.
US military, Djiboutians champion Women, Peace and Security at co-hosted event
1:40 PM5/11/2022
U.S. leadership with the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) co-hosted a Women, Peace and Security (WPS) workshop with the Djiboutian Ministry of Women and Family at the Palace Kempinski, Djibouti, May 8, 2022.
The participating parties, including members of the Djiboutian Ministry of Women and Family, CJTF-HOA, and U.S. Embassy Djibouti, used the venue to initiate an update to Djibouti’s WPS National Action Plan (NAP). The NAP serves as a binding document for integration of WPS principles, including how they will be prioritized and governed within Djibouti.
Djibouti, U.S. strengthen partnership through medical knowledge exchange
9:26 AM2/10/2022
More than 40 U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and the Djiboutian Gendarmerie came together for a medical knowledge exchange of casualty care practices at the Gendarmerie compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Jan. 17- 20, 2022.
U.S. Army Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, fly and monitor a RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Larsen, communications equipment distribution noncommissioned officer, 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade headquarters, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, monitors the computer system for the RQ-11 Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
U.S. Army Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, assemble an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle kit during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021 The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
A U.S. Army Soldier with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, assembles a RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
U.S. Army Spc. William Ellison, security forces, B Company, 1-157th Infantry (Mountain), Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, launches a RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
U.S. Army Spc. William Ellison, security forces, B Company, 1-157th Infantry (Mountain), Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, assembles an antenna for the RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle during an operators course at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Oct. 13, 2021. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate and maintain the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system. The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Gauret Stearns)
The Raven is a UAV system employed by CJTF-HOA for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The course instructed Soldiers on how to operate the small hand-launched remote-controlled aircraft system and maintain it by fixing broken parts or performing emergency procedures.
U.S. Discussion Groups strengthen English language skills in Djibouti
12:36 PM10/15/2021
The conversations are designed to increase the participants' confidence and competency in the English language to help them in their professional lives.
U.S., Kenya forces enhance partnership through integrated training
12:00 AM10/2/2021
The U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to C Company, 1-102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Iron Gray, CJTF-HOA, most recently completed urban rifle marksmanship training with Rangers assigned to the Kenya Defence Forces, in Manda Bay, Kenya, Oct. 2, 2021.
U.S. Army Civil Affairs empowers women in Djibouti
8:56 AM7/7/2021
The team has made Women, Peace and Security (WPS) a part of their mission to empower the women at Solidarte Feminine, a local organization in Djibouti that provides resources to women in need in Djibouti as well as those directly or indirectly affected by HIV.
U.S., Niger forces conduct joint mortar training event
2:27 PM6/16/2021
Starting in May, eight Task Force Iron Gray Mortar trainers and 25 Nigerien Soldiers began the classroom portion of the training event to learn system procedures and prepare Nigerien mortar leaders to train current and future mortar teams.
U.S., Burundi reconnect with African Data Sharing Network
9:49 AM5/25/2021
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Goodwin, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications chief projects officer, talks with Burundi Army Capt. Bigirimana Gélase, a signal officer, about dismantling the SIPR NIPR Access Point Terminal (SNAP) at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19 2021. The SNAP, now replaced by commercial internet, was used to connect users to the African Data Sharing Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S., Burundi reconnect with African Data Sharing Network
9:25 AM5/25/2021
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joel Nelson, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa communications projects non-commissioned officer in charge, tests the new communications equipment at the Burundi National Defense Force headquarters, May 19, 2021. U.S. Africa Command facilitated the new equipment update. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Missy Sterling)
U.S., Burundi reconnect with African Data Sharing Network
9:09 AM5/25/2021
Two U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) provided updated communications equipment to the Burundi Army signal team in Bujumbura, Burundi, to reestablish the African Data Sharing Network.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana (left), incoming commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora (middle), outgoing commander of CJTF-HOA, and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend (right), commander of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), salute during the playing of Ruffles and Flourishes during a change of command ceremony, May 15, 2021, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Zana previously served as the Joint Staff J5, Deputy Director of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), hands the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) task force flag to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana, in-coming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2021. Prior to serving as the Joint Staff J5, Deputy Director of Africa, Zana was the Deputy Commanding General of CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
With mission sets that cover 12 different countries throughout East Africa, the ability to work with various units and nations is key to the success of an organization like the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
CJTF-HOA: Incoming commander uniquely suited to lead in Africa
11:12 AM6/9/2020
Maj. Gen. Michael Turello, outgoing commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), transfers command of the task force to Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, former deputy commander, U.S. Army Africa.
Fallen Soldier memorialized at contingency locations
11:26 AM6/2/2020
On May 1 a grand-opening ceremony was held at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia, for the Henry Mayfield Jr. Dining Facility, and on May 21 the Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility at Manda Bay was officially renamed the Henry J. Mayfield Jr. Recreation Center.
Military medical in East Africa coordinates COVID-19 response
12:00 AM4/17/2020
The CJTF-HOA Surgeon Cell has a mission essential role in sustaining the health of U.S. armed forces, supporting ongoing operations and strengthening partner-nation alliances.
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stands up East Africa’s first blood storage and distribution center
12:00 AM3/18/2020
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) medical logistics Soldiers processed blood for the first time with the command’s brand-new, and only, blood storage and distribution center.
In the Horn of Africa, CJTF-HOA is the U.S. Africa Command organization that conducts operations in the region to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.