CJTF-HOA & Camp Lemonnier Host K9 Veterans Day 5K & Military Dog Demonstrations
By SSgt Juan Paz
Date: March 23, 2024
DJIBOUTI, East Africa – Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and Camp Lemonnier Working Dogs commemorated K9 Veterans Day on March 16, 2024, with a series of impactful demonstrations highlighting the invaluable role of military working dogs (MWDs) in East Africa.
Service members stationed at Camp Lemonnier engaged in a spirited 5K run, setting the stage for a showcase of precision and discipline by the highly trained K9 units. From detection training to patrol work and obedience drills, attendees witnessed the unwavering dedication and readiness of these canine teams.
"Maintaining operational readiness is paramount in this dynamic environment," remarked Senior Airman Tessa Spare, a seasoned military working dog handler with CJTF-HOA. "Our continuous training ensures that we are prepared to face any threat, anywhere."
Integral to their readiness is the capability of handlers to administer immediate medical care to their K9 partners in the field. Trained in K9 Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), handlers play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of their canine companions and optimizing force posture and capabilities.
The event also served as a solemn tribute to K9 Veterans Day, honoring the service and sacrifice of military working dogs past and present. “We as handlers know the sacrifices our K9s make” Spare reflected. “They do everything they can do to protect us. So when they retire, it's our turn to take care of them and give them the best retirement they can and K9 Veterans Day is one way we get to honor them.”
As the event concluded, the resounding message echoed: readiness is non-negotiable, and the bond between service members and their K9 counterparts is unbreakable. Together, they stand as a testament to the commitment to peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
CJTF-HOA's presence in East Afric
Bringing the Heat during Medical Cold Load Training
4/9/2024
DJIBOUTI- U.S. Army combat medics from Task Force Paxton, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard assembled on the tarmac to conduct joint medical evacuation cold-load training aboard a KC-130J aircraft at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 5, 2024. Medics participated in casualty evacuation operations by working with flight medical personnel and aircraft crew-members in the event that life saving measures and medical evacuation are requested.
The purpose of the training is to ensure interoperability with key U.S. military assets to expedite patient transfers to and from an aircraft in the event life saving measures and medical evacuation are requested.
CJTF-HOA & Camp Lemonnier Host K9 Veterans Day 5K & Military Dog Demonstrations
4/9/2024
Service members stationed at Camp Lemonnier engaged in a spirited 5K run, setting the stage for a showcase of precision and discipline by the highly trained K9 units. From detection training to patrol work and obedience drills, attendees witnessed the unwavering dedication and readiness of these canine teams.
VMM-261 (REIN) KC-130J Detachment “Bronco”: Partners in the Skies of Djibouti
4/9/2024
U.S. Marines with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (REIN) KC-130J Detachment "Bronco" conducted a joint refueling mission over Djibouti, Africa on March 25th.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, places a patch on Command Sgt. Maj. Jed Lundell during the transfer of authority in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on April 4, 2024. This ceremony marks the transfer of 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa.
(U.S. Army photo by Specialist Miriam Esparza)
U.S. Army Soldiers from 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and 111th Brigade Signal Company from South Carolina National Guard stand for transfer of authority to 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from Utah National Guard at Camp Lemonnier,Djibouti, on April 4, 2024. This ceremony marks the transfer from the 218th MEB to 204th MEB in the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa.
(U.S. Army photo by Specialist Miriam Esparza)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 1, 2024. Shawley highlighted the accomplishments of the outgoing 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina National Guard, and welcomed the incoming 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Utah National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kamisha Jordan)
U.S. Army Col. Kenneth Snow, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander and outgoing Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa chief of staff, speaks during a Transfer of Authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 1, 2024. The 218th MEB was the fifth Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to assume authority over the CJTF-HOA mission. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kamisha Jordan)
Leaders from the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Utah National Guard, case their brigade colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 1, 2024. The Transfer of Authority ceremony is a time-honored event which signifies the changing of deployed units in the field. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kamisha Jordan)
218th MEB Transfers authority of CJTF-HOA mission to 204th MEB
4/8/2024
The 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, transferred authority of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa headquarters staff mission to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Utah Army National Guard, on April 1, 2024, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Our Women, Peace, and Security team hosted an International Women's Day ceremony in celebration of Women's History Month at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti on Mar. 7, 2024. Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa has spent the month celebrating the many contributions of women and highlighting the importance of inclusion in the Horn of Africa. (Department of Defense video by U.S. Army Sgt. Jalen Miller and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kevin Nious)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
Soldiers from Task Force Tomahawk sit in the crowd during their transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb. 10, 2024. This ceremony marks the end of Task Force Tomahawk's tenure in the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, the outgoing security forces brigade turned over control to the incoming Task Force Paxton. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek, Task Force Paxton commander, welcomes his Soldiers to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb. 10, 2024. Soldiers from Task Force Tomahawk relinquished command security forces to Task Force Paxton. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, wishes a heartfelt goodbye to the outgoing security forces Task Force, Task Force Tomahawk, and welcomes the incoming Task Force Paxton Soldiers during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb. 10, 2024. During their tenure Task Force Tomahawk partnered manned security posts across the Horn of Africa and conducted in exercises and engagements with CJTF-HOA's partner forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek of the 2-112th, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Barclay, the 2-112th Infantry senior enlisted leader, unfurl their unit's colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb. 10, 2024. This act represented Pennsylvania National Guard's Task Force Paxton assumption of control over the SECFOR unit in CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brent Weece, commander of Task Force Tomahawk, speaks to a mixed crowd of distinguished guests and service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Feb. 10, 2024. Weece highlighted some of the major accomplishments of his task force and thanked his soldiers for their servitude in the security posts across the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Task Force Paxton Replaces Task Force Tomahawk as East Africa’s Newest Security Forces Unit
2/19/2024
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa held a transfer of authority ceremony to welcome the incoming Task Force Paxton infantry unit as well as commemorate the service of Task Force Tomahawk, the outgoing Security Forces component.
A goat stares through a hole in the fence during the Herd Health Vaccination Engagement at Ali Oune, Djibouti Jan. 31, 2023. The Herd Health Vaccination Engagement effort took place across the three villages of Negad, Chabelly, and Ali Oune. (Department of Defense photo by Sgt. Joshua Durant)
