Gallery contains 16 images
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Photo 1 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers decide on which direction to take towards a checkpoint during Exercise Wakri, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. The Soldiers took on the oppositional role as they evaded French forces across the landscape of rural Djibouti. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 2 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
An American troop carrier drives through the dusty terrain while hauling a water buffalo during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 3 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers return fire during a simulated ambush on a mountainside during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. The ambush took place as Soldiers left their bed-down location to head to a waypoint. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 4 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers stay ready in position behind the crest of a hill waiting to be found by French forces during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. Soldiers held the position on the hill for more than an hour before finding their way to the next checkpoint. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 5 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Taskforce Tomahawk soldiers return fire during an ambush on a mountainside during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 6 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk soldiers perch on a hilltop and hold a defensive position during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 7 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A Soldier with Task Force Tomahawk aims over the crest of a hill during Exercise Wakri while a teammate taps him on the shoulder near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. The platoon of American Soldiers played the role of oppositional forces while the French defended the region. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 8 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley stops to speak to Soldiers during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. Shawley spoke with the service members about the exercise and the multinational training environment. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 9 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers stay ready in position behind the crest of a hill waiting to be found by French forces during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. Soldiers held the position on the hill for more than an hour before finding their way to the next checkpoint. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 10 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A Task Force Tomahawk platoon maneuvers across the desert during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti on Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 11 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A Task Force Tomahawk platoon maneuvers across the desert during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti on Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 12 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A Soldier assigned to Task Force Tomahawk kneels while providing security to a defensive position near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. The Soldiers would cease fire when informed of changes to the exercise scenario. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 13 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A convoy of American troop carriers drives through the dusty terrain during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. The convoy went between locations in rural Djibouti to set up temporary camps for members in the exercise. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 14 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers return fire on a mountainside during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. The French soldiers ambushed the Americans as they passed through a narrow mountain valley on their way towards their next waypoint. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 15 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A soldier with Task Force Tomahawk aims over the crest of a hill while holding a defensive position during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Photo 16 of 16
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A Task Force Tomahawk platoon maneuvers across the desert during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti on Dec. 6, 2023. Land navigation was one of multiple practical skill sets that Soldiers applied throughout the exercise. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
ALI SABIEH, Djibouti-- A convoy of Light Medium Tactical Vehicles carrying Soldiers kicks up dust along a one-track gravel road in the ravines between a rocky mountainscape. The rugged tires grind to an abrupt halt as the sound of gunfire erupts in the distance. Groups of infantrymen pour out of their transports and rush up the mountain face towards the sound. They drop prone among the rocks and begin their return fire. These Soldiers are an essential component of Exercise Wakri, a joint training engagement between French and U.S. forces.
With the help of Soldiers from Task Force Tomahawk, a U.S. Army infantry unit assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, French forces tested their ability to respond to a land invasion. In the exercise, the two sides fought over essential infrastructure such as railroads and power lines. The U.S. Forces play the role of adversaries as the French try to halt their advance before they can make it to Djibouti City, the nation’s political and economic center.
“These exercises strengthen our relationships with our French partners,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Hamblin, Exercise Wakri action officer. “They have been really helpful throughout the entire process, both in the planning and the execution.”
A platoon of 15 Tomahawk Soldiers set up camps to sleep in throughout the rural desert areas of Djibouti alongside their French counterparts. They trade Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and use red flashlights to find their way through the darkness. Equipped with sleeping bags and mosquito nets, they rest and prepare for another day of playing the opposing force, where they will once again attempt to out-maneuver their French partners.
As the sun rises, the French and American convoys go their separate ways to play their roles again. The Americans take the offensive position and set off on foot across the rolling desert hills. When they reach a crest in the landscape, scouts head out in search of French adversaries and plot the path to their next position.
“While the situation was always evolving, all parties involved showed strong adaptability,” said Army Cpt. Anthony Sandrin, Task Force Tomahawk’s plans officer. “The Task Force performed well in their responsibilities while integrating with French forces during the exercise.”
Occasionally forces will face injects during the exercise, encountering simulated complications such as refugees, casualties, or troops in contact. The service members have to work together to figure out how to deal with these situations.
“Wakri is traditionally a French-led exercise where Americans provide a role as oppositional forces,” said Hamblin. “We’ve been playing a game of hide and seek where an armored French platoon hunts us down before we can secure critical infrastructure.”
The French troops, playing the defensive position, bring in armored and tactical vehicles and a tank. Americans, playing the offensive position, primarily bring troop carriers as well as an ambulance for first aid.
Complicated maneuvers and simulated firefights gave all the Soldiers an immersive training experience. The logistics of moving people and supplies and maintaining communications while moving across the landscape gave insight into the problems forces might face on a strategic level in a real-world conflict.
“Throughout this mobilization, we’ve had the opportunity to work with the French through Wakri, multiple airborne jumps, the French Desert Commando Course, artillery live fire events, and numerous small arms ranges,” said Sandrin. “It has been enlightening to have the opportunity to engage with them, build camaraderie and rapport, and further strengthen our partnership moving forward.”
