CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader

By U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 13, 2016

U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, passes the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa flag to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The passing of the flag signified the change of command from Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to Sonntag, as the CJTF-HOA commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)

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CJTF-HOA supports Djibouti’s fight against COVID-19

U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Kirkpatrick, team chief, 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA, posts a notice that reads, “Provided by the United States” prior to a ceremony at Bouffard Hospital in Djibouti City, Djibouti, June 25, 2020. CJTF-HOA donated 60 beds valued at $9,400 to the Djiboutian Ministry of Health for its efforts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)

June 27, 2020

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), delivered approximately $9,400 worth of hospital beds to the Djibouti Ministry of Health during a ceremony at the Bouffard Hospital in Djibouti City, Djibouti, June 25. At the request of the Djiboutian government and the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, CJTF-HOA was able to purchase the supplies through Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid Appropriation (OHDACA) funds to assist the country during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

KDF's first female Foreign Liaison Officer strengthens U.S., Kenya partnership

Kenya Air Force Lt. Col. Rodah Mwasigwa, foreign liaison officer (FLO) for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), works at the CJTF-HOA headquarters building, Jun. 15, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Mwasigwa serves as the first female FLO from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). Since her arrival at CJTF-HOA, Mwasigwa has facilitated training for KDF personnel, coordinated multiple key leader engagements, and assisted CJTF-HOA leaders following the attack on Manda Bay, Kenya, on Jan. 5, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)

June 15, 2020

With mission sets that cover 12 different countries throughout East Africa, the ability to work with various units and nations is key to the success of an organization like the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). To keep CJTF-HOA running like a well-oiled machine, several partner nations have lent a member of their military to serve as a foreign liaison officer (FLO) and to work directly with CTJF-HOA personnel on Camp Lemonnier. These personnel improve communication between the command and foreign militaries and strengthen the partnership between our African and other allied partners.

CJTF-HOA holds change of command ceremony

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, served as presiding officer during a socially distanced change of command ceremony for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), June 8, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Townsend presided over the ceremony as U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, outgoing commanding general (CG) of CJTF-HOA, relinquished command to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, incoming CG of CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)

June 8, 2020

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, the outgoing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) commanding general, transferred responsibility to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ), Djibouti, June 8. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), presided over the ceremony.

Manda Bay, BMA name facilities for fallen service member

A memorial for U.S. Army Spc. Henry “Mitch” Mayfield, Jr. sits inside the Henry Mayfield Jr. Dining Facility at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, May 1, 2020. The Henry Mayfield Jr. Dining Facility includes a hand-drawn portrait, as well as information about Mayfield’s military career. The facility, which had its grand opening and dedication ceremony May 1, was named in honor of Mayfield, who was killed in action Jan. 5, 2020, during an attack on Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, by a terrorist organization. Mayfield, a Chicago native, was deployed to Kenya with the 1st Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment, 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group, from Fort Rucker, Alabama. (U.S. Navy photo by Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Toniece Lurch)

May 29, 2020

Two contingency locations within Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s combined joint operations area recently named facilities in honor of U.S. Army Spc. Henry J. “Mitch” Mayfield Jr., who was killed in action Jan. 5, 2020, during an attack on Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, by a terrorist organization. On May 1, Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia (BMA), held a grand opening ceremony for the Henry Mayfield Jr. Dining Facility. On May 21, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation facility at Manda Bay was officially renamed as the Henry J. Mayfield Jr. Recreation Center.

Safety Inspections at construction sites ensure successful outcomes

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Puckett (right), safety noncommissioned officer-in-charge and medic, 492nd Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC), Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), monitors a construction site for safety conformity and violations within the Djibouti Base Cluster, Djibouti, May 8, 2020. As the safety NCOIC, Puckett conducts regular safety inspections of construction sites, ensuring personnel are in their appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as surveying the overall site for any potential hazards that could be mitigated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)

May 20, 2020

In 2018, 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, including 5,280 deaths. Roughly 21% of workplace fatalities took place at construction sites. The majority of these fatalities were the result of electrocutions, falls, struck-by hazards, and caught-in or -between hazards. As the safety noncommissioned officer-in-charge and medic for the 492nd Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC), Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Puckett is well aware of the innate risks at construction sites.