Djiboutian and U.S. Army soldiers participated in a language class led by Civil Affairs Team 4902 here February 1.
The class was part of an ongoing program between the Djiboutian Special Forces and CAT 4902, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, where soldiers of both nations learn and practice conversing in English, Afar and Somali.
"We are at the first phase," said Djiboutian Special Forces Captain Arayta Houmed Ebile, unit commander. "We ho
A photo essay by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lael Huss.
The soldier wiped the perspiration off his face after battling spindly plants that fought back and dodging large fires, all while under the predatory gaze of lions pacing only a few yards away.
It may seem U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Mark Vaughn, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa deputy director of civil military operations, was lost in East Africa or enduring survival training, but he was volunteering his time at the DECAN Animal Refuge in Djibouti, Djibouti, January 19. The
French and U.S. service members participated in the "Thin Cat" physical fitness competition at the French Briere de l'Isle military base, in Djibouti, Djibouti, February 11.
The contest, unique to French forces, required participants to complete a series of events, in order: 50 pull-ups, six 20-foot rope climbs using arms only, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, a 400-meter run carrying a 66-pound rucksack and ten 135-pound bench presses—all in less than 35 minutes.
"The competition
With a stream of bubbles emerging from his SCUBA system, the American explosive ordnance technician looked through the clear water off the African Coast at his officer and gave the signal. They were ready to begin their task.
The reason U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Geoffrey Shepelew, 221st Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 EOD technician, and U.S Navy Lieutenant Scott Pennoyer, 221st EOD Mobile Unit 2 EOD officer, both with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, were
The Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Medical Logistics Traveling Contact Team exchanged best practices with the Tanzanian Peoples' Defense Force in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, January 30 through February 2.
"We went down at the invitation of the TPDF," said U.S. Navy Commander Dan Patterson CJTF-HOA deputy force surgeon. The team spent five days exchanging ideas with the Tanzanians on U.S. procedures for medical planning and logistics, he said.
Patterson, alon
U.S. service members transferred two anesthesia machines from Camp Lemonnier's Expeditionary Medical Facility to Peltier General Hospital in Djibouti, Djibouti, February 6.
The EMF upgraded their anesthesia capabilities, leaving the two machines as excess equipment. The excess machines were delivered to enhance Djiboutian medical care.
"It feels very nice to have the machines from Camp Lemonnier," said Dr. Elias Said, Peltier General Hospital medical director. "Work can be
Eco-friendly Containerized Living Units giving Camp Lemonnier residents more living space are slated to arrive here in Fall 2012 thanks to a $1 million grant provided by the U.S. Department of Defense's Super Energy Efficient Containerized Living Unit Design and Development program.
A program team will also renovate existing CLUs and develop new "SuperCLUs" to reduce energy use in renovated units by 54 to 82 percent while reducing fuel demand and associated costs at the camp
U.S. Army Soldiers with Civil Affairs Team 4902, 490th Civil Affairs Battalion, with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, partnered with U.S. Agency for International Development, the Djiboutian Ministry of Education and the U.S. Embassy to deliver school supply kits to the Balho Primary School in Balho, Djibouti, January 31.
The delivery included about 150 kits, each containing a notebook, a pencil and a pen.
"Getting materials like this is very useful and important to co
The Djiboutian and U.S. militaries signed an extended agreement, February 1 in Djibouti, Djibouti, that allows both nations to continue working together in support of lasting stability for the Horn of Africa.
The agreement is an extension of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. This pact is a mutual accord between the Djiboutian Ministry of Defense and Department of Defense and allows both nations to request a variety of services from one another.
"A cross-service agree
Djiboutian Armed Forces and U.S. service members exchanged communications best practices in Djibouti, Djibouti, January 24 to 30.
The FAD invited the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa tactical communications team to the FAD headquarter's deck. There, the U.S. team met with Djiboutian radio communications specialists from around the country to share expertise in new American-made radio operating systems.
"This is an opportunity to increase the knowledge of our oper
