Command Senior Enlisted Leader

Command Chief Master Sergeant Benjamin J. Higginbotham

CJTF-HOA Senior Enlisted Leader Bio Photo

Command Chief Master Sergeant Benjamin J Higginbotham is the command senior enlisted leader of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. He serves as the principal advisor to the CJTF-HOA commander on all issues affecting health, morale, welfare, and professional development for approximately 2,000 Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines joint service personnel. Additionally, he provides assessments and recommendations to the commander, deputy commander, chief of staff, and directors on key leader engagements and proposed projects affecting African partners.

Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing—“America’s Cryptologic Wing” —at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

CMSgt Higginbotham grew up in Clint, Texas and after completing basic training in 1996, he attended Ground Radio technical training at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Miss. Since then, his assignments have included bases in Florida, Germany, North Carolina, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, and Maryland. He has performed many duties in the communications/cyber systems career field including additional duty first sergeant, plans and exercises, squadron, and group superintendent.

He has participated in contingency operations in the following named operations: Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Allied Force, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Willing Spirit, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

His professional military education includes Ground Radio technical training, Airmen Leadership School as a Distinguished Graduate and Leadership award, Non Commissioned Officer Academy , Air University Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Course 14, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education at the Joint Forces Staff College, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, and Cyberspace Superintendent Course. He has earned Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electronic Systems Technology with the Community College of the Air Force and a Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security with Saint Leo University.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with 1 oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Kosovo Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the NATO Medal with 2 bronze stars.

(Current as of April 2017)

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UPDF Soldiers Complete Historic Civil Affairs Operations Training

Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) Brig. Gen. Jack Backasumba, Camp Singo Commandant, thanks U.S. Army Soldiers during the graduation ceremony for a 10-week civil affairs operations course provided by the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, at Camp Singo, Uganda, April 13, 2018. The civil affairs course is designed to enhance the UPDF's capability and capacity to support its enduring African Union peacekeeping force and African Union Mission in Somalia mandates through civil military cooperation. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

April 24, 2018

Thirty-four Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) soldiers made history as the first UPDF service members to become civil affairs qualified.

CJTF-HOA Religious Affairs hosts AFRICOM, USARAF, AFAFRICA religious leaders

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abuhena Saifuislam, deputy director of AFRICOM Religious Affairs, talks with Maj. Gen. David Furness, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and other chaplains and chaplain assistants during a religious affairs workshop at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 11, 2018. The CJTF-HOA Religious Affairs team hosted the workshop to synchronize and plan the support they provide for service members throughout the combined joint operating area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

April 13, 2018

Our area of responsibility is huge - about half the size of the continental U.S.! The CJTF-HOA Religious Affairs team invited other military religious leaders from U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Africa, and Air Forces Africa to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to discuss the challenges and opportunities regarding providing support throughout East Africa.

Senator Jeff Merkley visits CJTF-HOA, looks at East African relations

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, Oregon, speaks with service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during a visit to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) March 26, 2018. Merkley visited with service members at Camp Lemonnier before continuing his trip to other locations in East Africa. As a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Merkley's visit focused on the critical role that U.S. assistance plays as he examined famine-like conditions, severe food shortages, internally displaced persons and refugees in each location and how these factors affect counter-terrorism efforts within the CTJF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

April 6, 2018

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently visited Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to meet with service members from Oregon and Ambassador Larry André, U.S. Embassy Djibouti, before continuing his trip through our area of responsibility in East Africa.

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee visits CJTF-HOA

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, 13th District of Texas, speaks with service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during a visit to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) March 24, 2018. Thornberry, who is the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee Chairman, stopped by Camp Lemonnier before visiting other locations within the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. The Armed Services Committee has the responsibility to oversee the Pentagon, all military services, and all Department of Defense agencies, including their budgets and policies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

April 3, 2018

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, who is the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee Chairman, stopped by Camp Lemonnier before visiting other locations within the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility.

CJTF-HOA service members donate school supplies, sandals to Somali refugees in Djibouti

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Juan Vela, left, and 1st Lt. Aidan Dietz, right, both with Animal Company, 3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), present a portable manual pencil sharpener to Amin Houssein, teacher, in Ali Oune, Djibouti, March 28, 2018. CJTF-HOA service members donated more than $400 of school supplies and sandals to Somali refugee students in Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)