The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator was officially given responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek, commander of Task Force Tomahawk, speaks to a distinguished guests and service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. Ponzek highlighted some of the major accomplishments of his task force and thanked his soldiers for their efforts in the security posts across the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator assumed control over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, wishes a heartfelt goodbye to the outgoing security forces Task Force, Task Force Paxton, and welcomes the incoming Task Force Associator Soldiers during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi, Task Force Associator commander, welcomes his Soldiers to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. Soldiers from Task Force Paxton relinquished command security forces to Task Force Associator, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator assumed control over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator assumed control over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)
Task Force Associator Replaces Task Force Paxton as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
10/25/2024
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator was officially given responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21, 2024.
U.S. Army Major General Brian Cashman, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents the command guidon to U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant, command senior enlisted leader of CJTF-HOA, at a change of responsibility ceremony Oct. 8, 2024 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Change of responsibility ceremonies symbolize heritage and reinforce the noncommissioned officer's authority and highlights their support to the chain of command. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. George Keck)
CJTF-HOA service members participated in Day 4 of the French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti on Oct. 9, 2024. The course offers a valuable knowledge exchange with French allies, challenging skills and strengthening partnerships to enhance readiness and regional security.
Service members from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa experience the French military Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) during the French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti, Oct. 8, 2024.
CJTF-HOA Command Senior Enlisted Leader Change of Responsibility
10/10/2024
U.S. service members deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) welcomed their new command senior enlisted leader (CSEL) during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Oct. 8, 2024.
U.S. Soldiers with the East Africa Response Force arrived in Libreville, Gabon in September 2024 for a multi-day critical Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces.
U.S. Armed Forces members from the East Africa Response Force, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), perform a medical knowledge exchange with Gabonese forces in Libreville, Gabon, on Sept. 18, 2024. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cambrin Bassett)
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), prepare to deploy to the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon, as part of a multi-day exercise on Sept. 14, 2024, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. Embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. Mark Davis)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meets with a member of the Gabonese forces during an exercise in Libreville, Gabon, on Sept. 16, 2024. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. Embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (Courtesy photo)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman (center), commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Michael Koch (back row, center), Senior Enlisted Leader of CJTF-HOA, pose with a group of U.S. Armed Forces during an exercise in Libreville, Gabon, on Sept. 15, 2024. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. Embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Mark Davis)
U.S. Armed Forces members from the East Africa Response Force, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), perform a medical knowledge exchange with Gabonese forces in Libreville, Gabon, on Sept. 18, 2024. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cambrin Bassett)
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), participates in a readiness exercise alongside Gabonese Forces in Libreville, Gabon, on Sept. 17, 2024. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. Embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Mark Davis)
U.S. Army soldiers from the East Africa Response Force, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), board a C-130 Hercules aircraft to deploy to the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon, as part of a multi-day exercise on Sept. 14, 2024, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. This exercise was a key component of CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance crisis response capabilities and foster military cooperation with regional partners and U.S. embassies. More than 150 personnel participated, conducting joint training across 67,000 miles, including air refueling, logistical operations, and ground and medical exercises. These efforts showcased U.S. readiness to address security challenges while strengthening the strategic partnership between U.S. and Gabonese forces. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Aleksander Fomin)
