U.S. National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and members of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment with the French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), participate in the opening of a new “combat village,” or Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) site, with a small-scale, joint training exercise at the French Base, Djibouti, March 22, 2022. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, regularly trains with and works alongside allied and partner nations, coalition forces and interagency/intergovernmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

U.S. National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and members of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment with the French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), participate in the opening of a new “combat village,” or Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) site, with a small-scale, joint training exercise at the French Base, Djibouti, March 22, 2022. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, regularly trains with and works alongside allied and partner nations, coalition forces and interagency/intergovernmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

U.S. National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and members of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment with the French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ), participate in the opening of a new “combat village,” or Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) site, with a small-scale, joint training exercise at the French Base, Djibouti, March 22, 2022. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, regularly trains with and works alongside allied and partner nations, coalition forces and interagency/intergovernmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

A French medical professional attends the Military Tropical Medicine Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 1, 2022. The course brought together joint and allied partners for tropical medical education. The course was designed to educate and train physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurses, medics and all other allied health. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kiersten Breunig)

Participants of the Military Tropical Medicine Course observe a presentation at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 1, 2022. The course brought together joint and allied partners for tropical medical education. The course was designed to educate and train physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurses, medics and all other allied health. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kiersten Breunig)

U.S. Army Sgt. Hannah Bodenbach, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa surgeon cell preventative medicine technician, takes notes during the Military Tropical Medicine Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 1, 2022. The course brought together joint and allied partners for tropical medical education. The course was designed to educate and train physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurses, medics and all other allied health professionals. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kiersten Breunig)

U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers from the 353rd Civil Affairs Command Functional Specialty Veterinary Team and A Company, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, conduct a veterinary civic action program (VETCAP) with Djiboutians at Hindi, Djibouti, March 16, 2022. During the VETCAP, the 353rd CACOM Functional Specialty Veterinary Team and the 403rd CAB treated approximately 1,000 animals for internal parasites, provided multivitamin injections and sprayed them for ectoparasites. The efforts help improve the animals’ overall health and eventual food quality for the local populace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lynette M. Rolen)

Dr. Mahdi Osman, Djiboutian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries veterinarian, prepares to administer treatment to a goat during a veterinary civic action program (VETCAP) with Djiboutians at Hindi, Djibouti, March 16, 2022. Dr. Osman worked directly with U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers from the 353rd Civil Affairs Command Functional Specialty Veterinary Team and A Company, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, treating approximately 1,000 animals for internal parasites, provided multivitamin injections and sprayed them for ectoparasites. The efforts help improve the animals’ overall health and eventual food quality for the local populace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lynette M. Rolen)

U.S. Army Sgt. Broghan Enright, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion medic, fills a needle during a veterinary civic action program (VETCAP) at Hindi, Djibouti, March 16, 2022. U.S. Army Civil Affairs Soldiers from the 353rd Civil Affairs Command Functional Specialty Veterinary Team and A Company, 403rd CAB, treated approximately 1,000 animals for internal parasites, provided multivitamin injections and sprayed them for ectoparasites. The efforts help improve the animals’ overall health and eventual food quality for the local populace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lynette M. Rolen)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Barksdale, a squad leader with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, commands his team during Exercise WAKRI 22 at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 15, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Soldiers with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ) soldiers participate in Exercise WAKRI 22 at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 14, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, participate in Exercise WAKRI 22 at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

French Army Capt. Hugo, a French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ) company commander, discusses mission planning with U.S. Army 1st Lt. Timothy VandeWater, a platoon leader with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, during Exercise WAKRI 22 at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Soldiers with French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ) scan the area of operations during Exercise WAKRI 22 at Arta Range, March 13, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Soldiers with French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ) participate in Exercise WAKRI 22 at Arta Range, March 13, 2022. Exercise WAKRI 22, the largest annual French-led exercise on the African continent, was spread out across Djibouti and provided realistic training for French Armed Forces air, ground and sea components alongside their U.S. Allies. The three-day exercise demonstrated how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthening their collective security forces and promoting regional security, stability, and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Members of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade receive their combat patch, a military milestone earned while serving in hostile conditions, March 17, 2022. The 404th MEB Soldiers earned their patches while deployed to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, located at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the only permanent military base on the African continent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

Maj. Gen. William Zana, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), places newly earned combat patches, a military milestone earned while serving in hostile conditions, on members of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, March 17, 2022. The 404th MEB Soldiers earned their patches while deployed to CJTF-HOA, located at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the only permanent military base on the African continent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, watch as members of the French Armed Forces begin the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Armed Forces head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, prepare for the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Navy head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. The WAKRI Exercise showcases the ability of U.S. forces to operate in conjunction with French forces, improving overall communication to assist in future missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Armed Forces head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, watch as members of the French Armed Forces begin the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. The participation of U.S. forces in the French WAKRI exercise demonstrates our interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, 712th Engineer Support Company and Camp Lemonnier Public Works Department meet with the faculty and students of engineering at the University of Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

An engineering student explains his goals in pursuing an engineering degree to military engineers from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, 712th Engineer Support Company and Camp Lemonnier Public Works Department at the University of Djibouti, February 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Navy Lt. Jg. Glen Fotland discusses his professional experiences as a military engineer at the University of Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, meet soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend and Thresher greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, greets soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend greeted the Soldiers as he concluded his multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, meet soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend and Thresher greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) command senior enlisted leader, talks with soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Thresher and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. AFRICOM commander, greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) command senior enlisted leader, talks with soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Thresher and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command commander, greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

The Armed Forces of Djibouti (FAD) Bataillon d'intervention rapide (BIR) arrives at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The BIR is a FAD advanced infantry battalion that trains and serves as a quick reaction force to accomplish specified tasks directed by its higher command in the Djiboutian army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Marine Corps Marines with Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element and U.S. Army Soldiers with 1-107th Air Operations Battalion conduct a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 8, 2022. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the MACG’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Marines with the Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element, fill sandbags during a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 8, 2022. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the MACG’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. service members work with Djiboutian Bataillon d'intervention rapide (BIR) to construct a high frequency signal antenna during a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The members of the BIR used this exercise as an opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness in a field environment and establish standard operating procedures for future use. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

An MV-22B Opsrey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) takes off at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The Ospreys support the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) by providing personnel recovery and casualty evacuation of U.S. Forces throughout East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)