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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
An MV-22 Osprey lands at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
Photo 2 of 10
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Tyler Ripley, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion performs a foreign object debris check on the runway at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Deitrick Garcia, an air traffic control equipment repairer with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion drives in front of the passenger terminal at Baledogle Military Airfield, April 11, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt Deonte Garvey, an airfield management element noncommissioned officer with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, poses for a photo at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A bird flies near the runway at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Spc. Gabriel Rudicel, an air traffic control operator with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, talks on the radio as he watches an aircraft arrive at Baledogle Military Airfield, April 11, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
Photo 7 of 10
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Spc. Gabriel Rudicel, an air traffic control operator with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, discusses an incoming flight with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Deitrick Garcia, an air traffic control equipment repairer with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion at Baledogle Military Airfield, April 11, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
Photo 8 of 10
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Franklin Jr., an air traffic controller with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, speaks on the radio with a pilot at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. Controllers are responsible for coordinating aircraft movements and logging flights to ensure safe and efficient operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
Photo 9 of 10
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Tyler Ripley, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion performs a foreign object debris check on the runway at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
Photo 10 of 10
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Tyler Ripley, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion performs a foreign object debris check on the runway at Magagoni Airfield, Kenya on April 10, 2024. The 3-58th AOB provides air traffic control and airfield management support for outstations within the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Photo by: Senior Airman Kevin Nious
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - In the skies above, Kenya, the roar of an MV-22 Osprey announcing its arrival can be heard for miles across the prairie. But this warning does little to deter the troop of pelicans and squadron of baboons who have transformed the flight line below into their campsite.
A showdown between animal and aircraft seems assured, when an off-road SUV darts down the runway, sounding its horn.
“Beep, beep.”
The shrieking noise startles the squatters, finally forcing the animals to retreat to greener pastures and clear the runway for another safe landing.
Removing wildlife and foreign debris is one of the many duties performed by the 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion to ensure safe air travel for military aviators.
But after 37 years of providing airfield management and air traffic support at deployed locations throughout the world, 2024 marks the final year for this storied unit as the 3-58th AOB will be dissolved after their deployment with the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.
“I’m proud of what the (3-58th AOB) has accomplished both in this assignment as well as throughout the unit’s history,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Douglas Lindsay, commander of the 3- 58th AOB. “This has been an excellent opportunity to showcase what the unit is capable of and (end) on a high note.”
Based out of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, Lindsay’s team enables hundreds of training missions and tactical operations every week. The ability to transform a patch of grass into a fully functional airfield allows joint forces, civilian personnel and foreign partners to transport vital resources between outposts across East Africa.
“AOB is just like your engine oil ... you don’t usually think about it, but without it, you won’t go very far,” said Lindsay.
Operating on a 24/7 schedule, the battalion is responsible for coordinating flight times, communicating clearance instructions to pilots and marshaling aircrafts on the taxiway.
U.S. Army Sgt. Wade Zamora oversees maintenance of all airfield equipment that keeps traffic flowing through Kenya, rain or shine.
“I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I’m helping contribute to the overall mission,” Zamora said. “It’s my nature to find ways to help people get stuff done faster and be more efficient at their jobs.”
As their time in Africa winds down, Soldiers with the 3-58th AOB say they aim to leave the airfields better than when they arrived. Plans are in the works on a renovation project that will expand runway space and increase operating capacity.
“We want to improve what we can for the group that’s going to replace us and keep things moving,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathon Priebe, senior enlisted leader for the 3-58th AOB.
Under the new U.S. Army realignment, most members of the 3-58th will be reassigned to another airfield operations battalion, bringing a trove of knowledge and capability.
“I know this experience will treat them well as they go on to similar assignments,” said Lindsay. “But as they continue for the rest of their careers, they’ll always remember Africa.”
