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Photo 1 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
A Japan Self-Defense Forces service member passes the ball during a basketball game against U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, held at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 2 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Craishod Norris, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa foreign liaison coordinator, shoots a basket over a Japanese service member at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Norris planned and organized for U.S. service members to visit the Japan Self-Defense Forces base for a sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 3 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa service members and Japan Self-Defense Forces play basketball together at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for a sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 4 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
Taiko drum players from the Japan Self-Defense Forces base put on a cultural performance for U.S. service members at the Japanese base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 5 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
Taiko drum players from the Japan Self-Defense Forces base put on a cultural performance for U.S. service members at the Japanese base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 6 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa service members and Japan Self-Defense Forces play basketball together at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for a sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 7 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
U.S. Army Sgt. Jermaine Fabersthorne, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa tactical radio support lead, talks to a Japan Self-Defense Forces service member after their game at the Japanese base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Fabersthorne congratulated the Japanese service members for their efforts during the game. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 8 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
U.S. Army Sgt. James King, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa material management resource advisor, congratulates a Japanese service member for a basket he made during their game at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
Photo 9 of 9
Sports Inspire Unity Amongst Foreign Partners for CJTF-HOA
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Craishod Norris, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa foreign liaison coordinator, joins Japanese taiko drum players for a performance at the Japan Self-Defense Forces base near Ambouli, Djibouti, August 19, 2023. Service members from the U.S. and Japan came together for sports-centered foreign engagement. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: SGT Jalen Miller
One of the primary missions of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is to strengthen U.S. partners and build relationships amongst nations. While partnership building often takes the form of joint operations or knowledge sharing, it can also be something as simple as bonding over a shared interest–like basketball.
CJTF-HOA service members recently visited the Japanese Self-Defense Forces base in Ambouli, Djibouti to engage in some friendly competition.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Craishod Norris, CJTF-HOA Japanese foreign liaison coordinator, and his teammates went head-to-head against the Japanese team and were invited to partake in a cultural Japanese drum performance alongside Japanese taiko drum players.
“Engagements like these give us the chance to visit the Japanese base in a more relaxed setting,” said Norris. “They also help us strengthen our relationship through a common appreciation of sports and culture.”
After spending a little over a month together, the foreign liaison team and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces Maj. Ishizawa Mitsuharu, JGSDF liaison officer to CJTF-HOA, found they all shared a collective interest in sports and the idea of a sports-focused culture exchange came to fruition.
“My team and I were super excited for this opportunity,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Craishod Norris, CJTF-HOA Japanese foreign liaison coordinator. “Being able to build relationships with our foreign partners and play a sport I’ve grown up playing has been a truly unique experience.”
The CJTF-HOA team were thankful for the chance to play a sport they love with service members from a foreign nation.
U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Isaiah Gordon said, “I’m glad I was able to take part in the game, I think it’s really cool, especially as someone who doesn’t get to go to all these different bases too often.”
U.S. Army Sgt Alex Burns, CJTF-HOA foreign liaison coordinator, stayed behind after the game with a small group of service members to spend some additional time with the Japanese players and plan potential future activities like this one.
“Laid back events like these make us feel more like a team with our foreign partners.” Burns said. “It inspires community amongst service members from different branches and nations and helps them get more involved with our mission to create a multinational community here in Djibouti.”
