Human of HOA spotlight; Staff Sgt. Jaime Valdez, journey to becoming a Warrant Officer
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa administrative NCO in charge, leads an administrative meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Feb 6, 2025. Valdez manages and organizes the policies and memos for the CJTF- HOA staff and manages the human resource team who ensured service
members received their awards, pay and mobilization movements accurately. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer
journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
By Spc. Micheala Maldonado, Combined Joint Task Force - HornDjiboutiMar 10, 2025
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.