U.S. Army soldiers receive French National Defense Medal (Silver Level)

U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receive the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb. 27, 2015. The French National Defense Medal is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. Silver and gold-level medals are usually reserved to French individuals who have served in the French military for several years, and it is rare for U.S. service members to receive this award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman) *Note: to see previous story, visit https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/11651/training-for-reality-army-civil-affairs

By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman , Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Djibouti, Africa Jun 12, 2015

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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receive the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb. 27, 2015. The French National Defense Medal is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. Silver and gold-level medals are usually reserved to French individuals who have served in the French military for several years, and it is rare for U.S. service members to receive this award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Photo 2 of 9

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Air Force Col. James Kriesel, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa chief of staff, and French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, conduct a Pass and Review during a ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. During the ceremony, three U.S. Army personnel received a French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) for saving the life of a French service member during a motor vehicle accident Feb. 27, 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. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright wait to receive a French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb., 2015. The French National Defense Medal, created in 1982, is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. It is rare for U.S. service members to receive this decoration, and general officers are the usual recipients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Photo 4 of 9

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, addresses French and U.S. troops during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. Three U.S. Army soldiers received the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) for saving the life of a French service member during a motor vehicle accident Feb. 27, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Photo 5 of 9

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, pins a National Defense Medal on U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Photo 6 of 9

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receives a National Defense Medal during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Photo 7 of 9

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

The French National Defense Medal is pinned on a soldier at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. The French National Defense Medal, created in 1982, is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. It is rare for U.S. service members to receive this decoration, and general officers are the usual recipients. (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. Army Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh receives a National Defense Medal during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (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

404th Civil Affairs Battalion members from Camp Lemonnier attend an award ceremony for three Army soldiers at a French naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. The French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) recipients saved the life of a French service member during a motor vehicle accident Feb. 27, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman

Human of HOA spotlight: Pfc. Saul Ballardo

Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier

CJTF-HOA Participates in the French Desert Commando Course

French Desert Commando Course

Humans of HOA spotlight: Sergeant Henry Warwick

Human of HOA spotlight: Pfc. Saul Ballardo

Humans of HoA

Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025.

CJTF-HOA Participates in the French Desert Commando Course

U.S. service members participate in the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. The training also assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any scenario.

Human of HOA spotlight: Pfc. Saul Ballardo

Humans of HoA

Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025.

CJTF-HOA Participates in the French Desert Commando Course

Human of HOA spotlight: Pfc. Saul Ballardo

Humans of HoA

Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025.

CJTF-HOA Participates in the French Desert Commando Course

CJTF-HOA

Combined Joint Task Force — Horn of Africa

U.S. Army soldiers receive French National Defense Medal (Silver Level)

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image