Command Senior Enlisted Leader

Command Master Chief Karl W. Parsons

Master Chief Karl W. Parsons, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1990. After completing basic training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida, he attended CTO "A" school at Naval Technical Training Center Pensacola Florida and reported to Guam to begin his career in Naval Communications.

Master Chief Parsons' sea duty assignments include Direct Support, Naval Security Group Activity, Rota Spain, Commander Naval Special Warfare Development Group, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN- 65), and the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, Striker Fighter Squadron EIGHT ONE (VFA-81), and most recently Carrier Air Wing EIGHT.

Ashore, Master Chief Parsons' assignments include Naval Security Group Detachment Guam, Naval Security Group Activity Norfolk and Center for Information Dominance Norfolk. He is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Advisor course (Class 17), the National Defense University Keystone (Class 16-1) and has earned a Master's Degree in International Relations from Norwich University.

Master Chief Parsons' personal decorations include one Bronze Star, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Joint Service Commendation Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Joint Service Achievement Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations, the Combat Action ribbon and various unit and campaign awards.

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US, Rwanda medical professionals prepare for opening of first radiation oncology center

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Peter O’Connor, an ear, nose and throat surgeon and chief of surgery at Landstuhl Regional Health Center (RHC), Germany, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Delnora Erickson, a radiation oncologist and officer in charge, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, review a print of a patient’s computerized tomography scan at the Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH) in Kigali, Rwanda, Nov. 27, 2018. O’Connor and Erickson were at RMH participating in a weeklong subject matter expert exchange alongside U.S. military medical personnel assigned to CJTF-HOA and Landstuhl RHC. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

December 17, 2018

U.S. medical personnel worked hand-in-hand with their corresponding Rwandan counterparts to give cancer patients and their families renewed hope of survival at the Rwanda Military Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda, Nov. 26-30.

State, Defense department officials meet, discuss future of East Africa

Amb. Donald Yamamoto, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, addresses U.S. diplomats and joint service personnel at a meeting during the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) East Africa Security Forum (EASF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Dec. 13, 2018. The EASF provides opportunities for CJTF-HOA and interagency leaders to assess and align efforts, and develop synchronized courses of action that support common goals. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

December 14, 2018

More than 30 U.S. State Department officials, representing 12 East Africa countries, joined military leaders from the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) for an East Africa Security Forum at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 11-13.

CJTF-HOA participates in Foreign Legion’s annual Grand Bara 15k race to strengthen partnerships

A U.S. Soldier poses for a photo with an officer in the Chinese military after exchanging patches. Nearly 200 members of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa ran alongside 2,500 Djiboutian, Chinese, and coalition service members and civilians during the 15k (9.3 mile) race across a stretch of Djibouti’s Grand Bara Desert, Dec. 13. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Olivia Cobiskey)

December 14, 2018

The sonic boom of a pair of French Mirage fighter jets signified the start of the 36th annual Grand Bara Run, where nearly 200 members of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa ran alongside 2,500 Djiboutian, Chinese and coalition service members and civilians during the 15k (9.3 mile) race across a stretch of Djibouti’s Grand Bara Desert, Dec. 13.

Day two of East Africa Security Forum concludes

U.S. Department of State and interagency officials attend a briefing titled “Triggers of Regional Instability” during the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) East Africa Security Forum (EASF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 11, 2018. The EASF is an annual opportunity for CJTF-HOA and interagency leaders to sync, assess and align efforts to develop synchronized courses of action that support common goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

December 12, 2018

U.S. Department of State representatives and interagency guests joined military leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa on the second day of the three-day, 2018 East Africa Security Forum at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 12.

Security Forum to help align stakeholders in East Africa

U.S. State Department personnel from 12 East Africa nations will join military leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Dec. 11-13, for the 2018 East Africa Security Forum.

December 11, 2018

More than 30 U.S. embassy representatives from 12 East Africa countries will attend the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) East Africa Security Forum (EASF), Dec. 11-13 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.