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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell Taylor, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader speaks to service members assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti during a relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, passes the sword to U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell Taylor, during the relinquishment of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner former Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader thanks service members and civilians for their hard work during the relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, passes the sword to Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA commander, during a relinquishment of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman 

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, salutes the audience during a relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman 

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell R. Taylor assumed responsibility as the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader (CSEL), succeeding U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 16, 2015.

“I am departing CJTF-HOA, but a part of me will always be in East Africa,” said Skinner, a 30-year Marine who served as the CJTF-HOA senior enlisted leader for two years. “I leave you now in the capable hands of Sgt. Maj. Taylor; his passion and energy will assist in raising CJTF-HOA to the next level.”

As the CSEL, Taylor serves as the principal advisor to the CJTF-HOA commander on all issues affecting health, morale, welfare and professional development of more than 1,800 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard personnel throughout 10 countries in Africa.

“Sgt. Maj. Taylor is going to lead us from the front by the same enduring standard we expect from all our sergeants majors, regardless of their service,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark R. Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, “I’m confident he will do just as well in his stead.”

Taylor thanked the command for the opportunity and Skinner for her mentorship and friendship. He also thanked his family for their support.

“I am honored to be a part of the command staff and to serve with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, coalition and civilian partners at Camp Lemonnier,” Taylor said.

Prior to being selected for this assignment, Taylor worked on the CJTF-HOA staff in the Information Operations Section and previously was the senior signal intelligence sergeant for the 110th Information Operations Battalion in Laurel, Maryland.