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Photo 1 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks with sergeants major from the Kenya Defence Forces Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kenya is one of the five troop contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia, and is the second largest of the three countries bordering Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 2 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, speaks with sergeants major from the Kenya Defence Forces Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The visit included several briefings, one-on-one SEL engagements, a base tour, and a town hall meeting with junior enlisted service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 3 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer Dennis Talengo, Kenya Air Force sergeant major, speaks with Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Bedard, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron superintendent, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The visit included several briefings, one-on-one SEL engagements, a base tour, and a town hall meeting with junior enlisted service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 4 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer Dennis Talengo, Kenya Air Force sergeant major, speaks with Maj. Anthony Alexander, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Bedard, 82nd ERQS superintendent, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The partnerships built and strengthened between the leaders is vital for ensuring mission success – for AMISOM, the current situation in Somalia, neutralizing Al-Shabaab, and stabilizing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 5 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bruha, 2-124 Bravo Company acting first sergeant, explains the benefits of an advanced combat optical gunsight for Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The partnerships built and strengthened between the leaders is vital for ensuring mission success – for AMISOM, the current situation in Somalia, neutralizing Al-Shabaab and stabilizing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 6 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bruha, 2-124 Bravo Company acting first sergeant, demonstrates the U.S. Army’s method for clearing and securing a weapon for Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 7 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Harper Smith, 2-124 Foxtrot Company first sergeant (right), discusses the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s motor pool capabilities with Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Along with providing important information and gaining insight into the younger members’ mindset, they spent an afternoon with their CJTF-HOA equivalent to see first-hand how each U.S. SEL led the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson
Photo 8 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Harper Smith, 2-124 Foxtrot Company first sergeant (right), discusses the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s motor pool capabilities with Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Along with providing important information and gaining insight into the younger members’ mindset, they spent an afternoon with their CJTF-HOA equivalent to see first-hand how each U.S. SEL led the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 9 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces attend an Equal Opportunity brief at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The briefings focused on operations and how Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel accomplish the mission successfully, including equality and troop welfare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 10 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces attend an Equal Opportunity brief at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four highest ranking of their enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 11 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces host a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. A difference amongst the KDF and U.S. enlisted forces is the level of responsibility and decision-making authority given to young Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 12 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces open the floor for questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four highest ranking of their enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 13 of 13
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Warrant Officer John Muthoka, Kenya Defence Forces sergeant major, answers questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Senior enlisted leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and the Kenya Defence Forces met at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to exchange ideas and share procedures Feb. 10-12.
“I think there are three things that (should) come out of this key leaders engagement,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick, CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader. “(First and) most important to me is describing the capabilities of non-commissioned officers and petty officers. The next thing is exchanging ideas. And the last part of this is building relationships.”
Kenya, one of the five troop contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia, is the second largest of the three countries bordering threat-stricken Somalia. Kenya deploys most of its troops to the southern areas of Somalia where Al-Shabaab activity has proven to be the most abundant.
“Our main objective is to neutralize Al-Shabaab by helping AMISOM upstream. Hopefully, in the near future AMISOM is able to transition out of Somalia and turn it over to the Somalia National Army,” Kendrick said.
The four highest ranking of the Kenya enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with CJTF-HOA personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region.
“Things like this are important because we learn something (that) we can put into our system,” said Warrant Officer John Muthoka, KDF sergeant major. “Also, I think (U.S. forces) learn something from us, too.”
The visit included several briefings, one-on-one SEL engagements, a base tour, and a town hall meeting with junior enlisted service members.
The briefings focused on operations and how CJTF-HOA personnel accomplish the mission successfully, including equality and troop welfare. Later with the junior enlisted, it became apparent that troop welfare was on the Kenyan’s minds, too.
“Do you miss home?” Muthoka replied to a question about challenges Kenyans face. “It’s the same challenges that you face. I’m sure you’d rather be in America, but we have a job to do just like you.”
A difference amongst the KDF and U.S. enlisted forces is the responsibility given to young Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. U.S. service members are trained, equipped and encouraged to make decisions at lower ranks, and put in leadership positions sometimes with only four or five years of military service; however, the KDF has a different approach.
“On our side, NCOs (have the knowledge) and decision making is (progressing), but officers usually make the decisions.” Muthoka said. “We would like NCOs to make the decisions on their own.”
The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. Along with providing important information and gaining insight into the younger members’ mindset, they spent an afternoon with their CJTF-HOA equivalent to see first-hand how each U.S. SEL led the enlisted force.
The partnerships built and strengthened between the leaders is vital for ensuring mission success for AMISOM, the current situation in Somalia, neutralizing Al-Shabaab and stabilizing the region.
