Interpreter bridges cultural barriers between U.S. military and Djiboutian community
Across the world, building strong relationships takes good communication. But what happens when you don't speak the same language?
Fatouma Omar Guedi is an interpreter for Civil Affairs Functional Specialty Team, Southern European Task Force – Africa. Fatouma speaks four languages fluently (English, Somali, Afar and French) and is learning more. Fatouma uses her knowledge to aid U.S. military humanitarian missions within Djibouti, Africa. The ability to overcome the language barrier between the U.S. and African partners is critical to building trust and goodwill between the U.S. and the Djiboutian community and governing officials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
By Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of AfricaCamp Lemonnier, DjiboutiSep 09, 2021
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
U.S. service members in 152nd Engineer Support Company, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, improve base infrastructure at Manda Bay, Kenya, March 26, 2025. The mission of the 152 ESC is to enhance regional stability and strengthen relationships with partner nations through various construction projects coordinated across East Africa.
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
U.S. service members in 152nd Engineer Support Company, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, improve base infrastructure at Manda Bay, Kenya, March 26, 2025. The mission of the 152 ESC is to enhance regional stability and strengthen relationships with partner nations through various construction projects coordinated across East Africa.
U.S. Army Spc. Brittany Arthur, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa intelligence analyst, poses for a photo during her workout at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2025. Arthur believes that fitness is more than just a routine, she believes that fitness fosters longevity, readiness and mental clarity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, recognize U.S. service members for outstanding performance at Baledogle Military Airfield, March 31, 2025. CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and partner interests.
U.S. service members in 152nd Engineer Support Company, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, improve base infrastructure at Manda Bay, Kenya, March 26, 2025. The mission of the 152 ESC is to enhance regional stability and strengthen relationships with partner nations through various construction projects coordinated across East Africa.