U.S. Marine Corps mortarmen, Weapons Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire a white phosphorous M722A1 round from a M224 60mm Lightweight Company Mortar System during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The M722A1 rounds, weighing just under four pounds, can be used for spotting or marking a target area with a smoke cloud. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Joshua Gray, Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watches the range through a scope at an unknown distance course during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, Arta Plage, Djibouti. The range practice was part of bilateral training with the 3rd Infantry French Marines Sniper Platoon. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Marine Corps members with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), wait to communicate with players during a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

French Marine Capt. A, 6th Support Company commander, and U.S. Marine Corps members with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), discuss the events to occur on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

A UH-1Y Huey helicopter flies over the range after a helo-borne raid during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Marine Corps members with the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, watch an UH-1Y Huey helicopter fly over after a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Marine Corps members with the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Sailors from the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, watch a Super Cobra attack helicopter fly over after a helo-borne raid on the range during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Marine Corps mortarmen, Weapons Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe M721 illumination rounds fired from a M224 60mm Lightweight Company Mortar System during exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 13, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. Once the M721 round is ignited, it produces visible light for situations like night operations or day and nighttime signaling. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

A UH-1Y Huey helicopter flies over the range after a helo-borne raid during Exercise Alligator Dagger, Dec. 18, 2016, at Arta Plage, Djibouti. The exercise allows opportunities for the 11th MEU to maintain their respective skills and proficiencies while intermittently participating in bilateral training with the French. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Squadron 11 members are all smiles after receiving care packages for female service members, Dec. 17, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Religious Affairs Office received 12 packages from the Mission Beach Women's Club in San Diego and distributed them to the service members in CRS 11. The CRS 11 Sailors patrol the local port to protect high-value-assets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Squadron 11 members, stationed at Camp Lemonnier, smile after receiving care packages for female service members, Dec. 17, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Religious Affairs Office received these packages and distributed them to the women in the CRS 11 team which accounts for 10 of the 76 members in the squadron. The CRS 11 Sailors patrol the local port to protect high-value-assets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Squadron 11 members are all smiles after receiving care packages for female service members, Dec. 17, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Religious Affairs Office received 12 packages from the Mission Beach Women's Club in San Diego and distributed them to the service members in CRS 11. The CRS 11 Sailors patrol the local port to protect high-value-assets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Squadron 11 members are all smiles after receiving care packages for female service members, Dec. 17, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Religious Affairs Office received 12 packages from the Mission Beach Women's Club in San Diego and distributed them to the service members in CRS 11. The CRS 11 Sailors patrol the local port to protect high-value-assets. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)

U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Williams, civil affairs, and Matt Hahn, International Development and Relief Board (IDRB,) screen the video series “Ahmed the Herder” in a village in the mountains of Djibouti near Tadjourah, Dec. 15, 2016. “Ahmed the Herder” is a video series that teaches best practices in animal care, and is facilitated by U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel for the IDRB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Dearcy, civil affairs medic, examines a baby with an upper respiratory infection in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams identify critical requirements needed by local citizens while fostering and maintaining dialogue with civilian aid agencies and assistance organizations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel and members of the International Development and Relief Board travel to a remote village to screen the video series “Ahmed the Herder” in the mountains of Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams identify critical requirements needed by local citizens while fostering and maintaining dialogue with civilian aid agencies and assistance organizations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Williams, civil affairs, and a local clan leader share tea while discussing the International Development and Relief Board (IDRB) video being produced in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. “Ahmed the Herder” is a video series that teaches best practices in animal care, and is facilitated by U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel for the IDRB. U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams identify critical requirements needed by local citizens while fostering and maintaining dialogue with civilian aid agencies and assistance organizations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Dearcy, civil affairs medic, converses with cast members of “Ahmed the Herder,” as a scene is acted out in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. Civil Affairs personnel helped facilitate production of the video series for the International Development and Relief Board to help educate rural East African farmers and herders on modern animal health care practices. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

The cast of “Ahmed the Herder” and a local clan leader rehearse an upcoming scene in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. “Ahmed the Herder” is a video series that teaches best practices in animal health care, and is facilitated by U.S. Army civil affairs personnel for the International Development and Relief Board. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Capt. Kika Straub, civil affairs veterinary field officer, and U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Dearcy, civil affairs medical specialist, examine a young goat in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams identify critical requirements needed by local citizens while fostering and maintaining dialogue with civilian aid agencies and assistance organizations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Williams, civil affairs, and Matt Hahn, International Development and Relief Board (IDRB,) explain a scene to the cast of “Ahmed the Herder” before beginning a video shoot in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. “Ahmed the Herder” is a video series that teaches best practices in animal care, and is facilitated by U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel for the IDRB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Williams, civil affairs, and Matt Hahn, International Development and Relief Board (IDRB,) explain a scene to the cast of “Ahmed the Herder” before the video shoot in a village near Tadjourah, Djibouti, Dec. 15, 2016. “Ahmed the Herder” is a video series that teaches best practices in animal health care, and is facilitated by U.S. Army civil affairs personnel for the IDRB. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA- U.S. Navy Rear Adm. William Wheeler III, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) deputy commander, and U.S. Ambassador Stephen Schwartz, U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, meet over lunch to discuss the current political and economic environment in Somalia Dec. 19, 2016. Such meetings improve the capability of U.S. and partner nations to create favorable conditions for the expansion of stable governance and economic development in Somalia.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA- Burundi military personnel demonstrate skills learned during a first response medical course facilitated by the United Nations in Somalia, Dec. 19, 2016. The U. N. course curriculum is intended to standardize medical support techniques during peacekeeping operations and political missions in the field.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA- British Air Commodore William “Jamie” Kendall, United Nations Somalia (UNSOM) senior military advisor, discusses the current status of Somalia with U.S. Army Col. Kyle Reed, Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu director, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. William Wheeler III, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) deputy commander, and U.S. Army Col. Jason Musteen, CJTF-HOA military assistant to the command group, in Mogadishu, Somalia Dec. 19, 2016. These meetings help to coordinate CJTF-HOA, United Nations, European Union, African Union Mission in Somalia and other international partner’s efforts to stabilize Somalia and the surrounding regions.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA- Italian Army Brig. Gen. Maurizio Morena, European Union Training Mission Somalia commander, discusses the current status of Somalia with U.S. Navy Rear Adm. William Wheeler III, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) deputy commander, in Mogadishu, Somalia Dec. 19, 2016. These meetings help to coordinate CJTF-HOA, European Union, United Nations, African Union Mission in Somalia and other international partner’s efforts to stabilize Somalia and the surrounding regions.

5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Combined Task Force 51 Commander, Brig. Gen. Francis Donovan, and Command Sgt. Maj. Clifford Wiggins, 5th MEB and CTF-51 command sergeant major, meet with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Deputy Commander, Rear Adm. William Wheeler and CJTF-HOA Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Master Chief Geoffrey Steffee during a visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Dec. 20, 2016. In addition to meeting with CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonnier leadership, Donovan observed joint training at the Djibouti Range Complex in Arta, and met with Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 16, 2016) USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Melson, right, discusses landing craft air cushion operations with Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, Rear Adm. William W. Wheeler III during a tour of the amphibious assault ship’s well deck. Makin Island is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin M. Langer)

GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 16, 2016) Left to right, Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five Capt. Michael Crary, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Commanding Officer Col. Clay Tipton, Defense Attaché at U.S. Embassy Djibouti Capt. John Tully, Chief of Djiboutian Navy Col. Abdourahman Cher, USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Melson, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Mr. Tom Kelly, and Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa Rear Adm. William W. Wheeler III meet on Makin Island’s underway quarterdeck before touring the amphibious assault ship. Makin Island is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin M. Langer)

GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 16, 2016) USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Senior Medical Officer, Cmdr. Karlwin Matthews, right, speaks with Chief of Djiboutian Navy Col. Abdourahman Cher, left, Rear Adm. William W. Wheeler, Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Mr. Tom Kelly in the ship’s medical triage. Makin Island is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin M. Langer)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 16, 2016) Rear Adm. William W. Wheeler, Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, greets USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Odea, from Lansing, Mich., during a tour aboard the amphibious assault ship. Makin Island is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Devin M. Langer)

A soccer team comprised of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from Charlie Company of the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion pause for a photo with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Tom Kelly during a tournament at the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016. The event brought together eleven different teams from six countries for friendly competition in support of the Kick for Nick Foundation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

Soccer players representing military units from Italy, Japan and the U.S. are joined by U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Tom Kelly during a tournament at the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016. The event brought together eleven different teams from six countries for friendly competition in support of the Kick for Nick Foundation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

Soccer players representing military units from the U.S. and Japan face off on the field during a friendly soccer tournament supporting the Kick for Nick Foundation at the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016. The event brought together eleven different teams from six countries for friendly competition in support of the Kick for Nick Foundation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

Children attending a soccer tournament at the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016 are presented soccer balls on behalf of the Kick for Nick Foundation. The non-profit foundation was established in 2006 by the family of Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, an avid soccer player and youth coach who was killed while serving in Iraq. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

Flags from six different countries adorn the grounds of the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016. Each flag represented the nationality of the soccer players whose teams gathered there for a friendly soccer tournament supporting the Kick for Nick Foundation. The non-profit foundation was established in 2006 by the family of Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, an avid soccer player and youth coach who was killed while serving in Iraq. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

A women's soccer team from Djibouti City gather with friends at the French school Kessel in downtown Djibouti Dec. 9, 2016 following a friendly soccer tournament supporting the Kick for Nick Foundation. The non-profit foundation was established in 2006 by the family of Pfc. Nicholas Madaras, an avid soccer player and youth coach who was killed while serving in Iraq. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI- U.S. and Djibouti officials observe the launch of a weather balloon as part of the Upper Air Sounding Project at Camp Lemonnier, Dec. 8, 2016. The Upper Air Sounding Project is a joint venture between the Horn of Africa and the special operation forces on behalf of Special Operations Command Africa. The weather balloon demonstration was to help the government of Djibouti understands the effects of a balloon launch would have on the air traffic in the surrounding air space.

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI- U.S. Air Force Special Operations Weather Technician, Special Operations Command Africa, launches a weather balloon to take atmospheric sounding data at Camp Lemonnier, Dec. 8, 2016. When the weather balloon is launched into the atmosphere it rises approximately 1,000 feet per second and takes roughly an hour to download the necessary atmospheric data.

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI- U.S. Air Force Special Operations Weather Technicians, Special Operations Command Africa, inflate a weather balloon to be launched as a demonstrate to Djibouti officials at Camp Lemonnier, Dec. 8, 2016. The demonstration was to help the government of Djibouti understands the effects of a balloon launch would have on the air traffic in the surrounding air space.