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 AfricaDjibouti, AfricaJun 12, 2015
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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
The Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, alongside Djiboutian, French, Japanese and European Union Naval Forces joined together for the semiannual Bull Shark 25-2 exercise in the vicinity of Arta Range, Djibouti, to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies from May 5-6.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
The Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, alongside Djiboutian, French, Japanese and European Union Naval Forces joined together for the semiannual Bull Shark 25-2 exercise in the vicinity of Arta Range, Djibouti, to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies from May 5-6.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
The Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, alongside Djiboutian, French, Japanese and European Union Naval Forces joined together for the semiannual Bull Shark 25-2 exercise in the vicinity of Arta Range, Djibouti, to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies from May 5-6.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.