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Photo 1 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, flies during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 2 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Soldiers, members of the East Africa Response Force, patrol the range during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Range, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark enhanced multinational interoperability through simulated crisis response and coordinated field operations, thus strengthening partnerships and enhancing Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa’s operational effectiveness in a joint environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 3 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Members of the Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit provide security before a hoist operation during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Range, Djibouti, May 7, 2025. The exercise allowed U.S. forces to enhance communication and interoperability with Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti and partner nations. Operating together in joint environments strengthens partnerships and enables the Combined Joint Force-Horn of Africa to enhance its operational effectiveness in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 4 of 19
406th Air Expeditionary Wing
Spanish forces conduct a hoist operation out of a Spanish MH-60R Seahawk during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Ray J. Salvador)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kevin Ray Salvador
Photo 5 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. service members work alongside the
Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard conduct a
piracy interdiction drill during exercise Bull
Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti,
May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S.,
Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces(Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side by side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 6 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Djiboutian Navy members conduct a search
and seizure of a simulated pirate vessel during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark focused on bringing together U.S. and partner nation forces to enhance
communication and interoperability while
performing simulated personnel recovery
operations across land, sea and air domains. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 7 of 19
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, left, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Louis Donatucci, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 crew chief, assist a hoist operation from an MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark focused on bringing together U.S. and partner nation forces to enhance communication and interoperability while performing simulated personnel recovery operations across land, sea and air domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allison Payne
Photo 8 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Micah Close, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 crew chief, prepares for takeoff while inside a MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 9 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, flies over water for a
search and rescue operation during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti,
May 6, 2025. Maritime air and ground forces from U.S. and partner nations rehearsed key
mission tasks to build trust, improve response coordination and sharpen tactical execution
while working toward strengthening regional security and stability.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorelai Warman)
Photo by: Pfc. Lorelai Warman
Photo 10 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Simmons,
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
exercise planner, performs a communications check in preparation for a simulated piracy interdiction drill during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 11 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members conduct security for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allison payne
Photo 12 of 19
406th Air Expeditionary Wing
A U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22B Osprey, assigned to
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, off-loads
military personnel at a simulated crash site
during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of
Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull
Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to
respond rapidly in a joint environment to
humanitarian emergencies and regional security
threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin
Ray J. Salvador)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kevin Ray Salvador
Photo 13 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Military personnel conduct hoist operations in an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura,
Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-
Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Naval Forces nations trained side-
by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorelai Warman)
Photo by: Pfc. Lorelai Warman
Photo 14 of 19
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, rappels out of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy) trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allison Payne
Photo 15 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. service members assigned to the
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
communications directorate oversee
communication operations between air, land and maritime partners during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and
partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 16 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Micah Close, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 crew chief, flies over Arta Beach, Djibouti, in a MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 17 of 19
406th Air Expeditionary Wing
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit
members conduct security at a simulated crash
site during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach,
Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Service members from
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and
partner nations demonstrated agility and
interoperability through joint maneuver,
communication, and casualty evacuation drills.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Ray J.
Salvador)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kevin Ray Salvador
Photo 18 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
An MV-22B Osprey Crew Chief, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, prepares to raise rear panel for flight during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Maritime air and ground forces from U.S. and partner nations rehearsed key mission tasks to build trust, improve response coordination and sharpen tactical execution while working toward strengthening regional security and stability. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Nicholas Session)
Photo by: Sgt. Nicholas Session
Photo 19 of 19
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members board a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of Exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like-minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Allison payne
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.
The objective of exercise Bull Shark 25-2 was to ensure effective communication among all participants. This display of interoperability helped increase the effectiveness to operate jointly with host nation and international partners and ultimately enhanced CJTF - HOA’s operational effectiveness in the region by simulating various personnel recovery scenarios involving sea, air and land units.
Participants included multiple branches of the U.S. military, Armed Forces of Djibouti (FAD) Bataillon d’intervention rapide (BIR), Garde-Côtes Djiboutienne (Djiboutian Coast Guard), Marine Nationale Djiboutienne (Djiboutian Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, Japanese Self-Defense Force and European Union Naval Forces Operation Atalanta (Spanish Navy). The Spanish Air Force ‘Orion Detachment,’ and the Italian base militare italiana di supporto were also observers of the exercise.
During the closing ceremony May 7 at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Ballenger, CJTF - HOA deputy commanding officer, said “Bull Shark wasn’t just about procedures and protocols; it was about the people. It was about building trust, understanding each other’s capabilities, and forging stronger bonds of partnership.”
The exercise required complex multinational, logistical coordination to ensure the mission objectives were accomplished while maneuvering safely. Training together as a combined joint force is vital for understanding how each element operates.
Col. Wais Omar Bogoreh, commander of the Djiboutian Coast Guard, said he was very thankful for the U.S. and all the partner nations who participated in the exercise.
“We are doing well together,” he said and stated he is looking forward to future exercises and improvement as CJTF - HOA and their partners work toward maintaining maritime security.
On execution day, a maritime rescue was simulated where Djiboutian Coast Guard performed the extraction of personnel from water while effectively communicating with the multi-national Command and Control node, the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron
(MSRON) 1, the Spanish frigate ‘Reina Sofia’ (F84), the Djiboutian Navy and the Joint Personnel Recovery Center. The EUNAVFOR performed hoist operations from a Spanish SH-60R Seahawk.
“This exercise presented us with realistic challenges, from simulated search and rescue operations to testing interoperability of communication systems,” Ballenger said.
During the land segment, where CJTF-HOA's security forces from Task Force Associator teamed up with the Bataillon d’intervention rapide, French Forces in Djibouti, the Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit (SOMTU) and pararescuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to address a simulated land rescue on a private beach and a simulated aircraft crash at a second land site. This involved evaluating casualties, which allowed for the testing of communication methods and interoperability between all participants.
“Anything that we’re (going to) do in this part of the world or really anywhere, we’re (going to) be working with other partner nations,” said U.S. Army Col. Jason Inskeep, CJTF - HOA Training and Exercises director. “So you (have) to learn how to work with them, how to communicate with them, (understand) what the abilities of their service members are, what their equipment is and ultimately bring that all together so we can accomplish the mission.”
In the course of the response mission, some personnel incurred simulated injuries, necessitating the deployment of U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 and pararescuemen from the 82nd EQRS. The Osprey’s ability for vertical takeoff and landing as well as short takeoff and landing merges the capabilities of a traditional helicopter with the extended range and high-speed cruising performance of a turbo propeller aircraft, helping enable the extraction of personnel.
The consistent execution of exercises like Bull Shark allow the U.S. and partner nations “to work toward common goals for regional security and stability,” Ballenger said. The enhanced capabilities gained through these exercises are pivotal to a unified response to evolving threats within the region; relying on partnerships in East Africa and Djibouti strengthens regional stability and security.
Ballenger continued to say how impressed he was with the “seamless integration” of all the partner nations. He said technical expertise and innovative problem-solving was demonstrated very well and “these moments were the result of dedicated professionals working together, adapting to circumstances, and prioritizing a common goal.”
The seamless integration was partially due to the weeks leading up to exercise Bull Shark 25-2, in which a series of academic and table-top training sessions took place between the U.S., Djiboutian counterparts and partner forces focused on enhancing the interoperability that would be carried out during the exercise.
Every iteration of exercise Bull Shark aims to increase in complexity and broaden opportunities for partner and allied nations to learn from each other. Participation in these scenarios helps all involved navigate communication obstacles in anticipation of real-world events. Maintaining infrastructure, scalable response capability, and readiness ensures our ability to effectively respond to crises.
“In the event of an emergency you never know who you’re going to need to help or who may be helping you,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Dahlby, CJTF HOA future operations planner. “So, it’s important to understand how you go about completing these tasks.”
CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests, primarily in the East Africa region. The command headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, works against malign actors to strengthen collective security forces and respond to crises to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
“This is not simply the end of an exercise; it is a stepping stone. It’s a foundation upon which we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient and more effective partnership,” Ballenger said during his closing remarks.
