A Soldier with Task Force Tomahawk aims over the crest of a hill during Exercise Wakri while a teammate taps him on the shoulder near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. The platoon of American Soldiers played the role of oppositional forces while the French defended the region. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Taskforce Tomahawk soldiers return fire during an ambush on a mountainside during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
A Task Force Tomahawk platoon maneuvers across the desert during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti on Dec. 4, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Task Force Tomahawk Soldiers stay ready in position behind the crest of a hill waiting to be found by French forces during Exercise Wakri near Dikhill, Djibouti, Dec. 4, 2023. Soldiers held the position on the hill for more than an hour before finding their way to the next checkpoint. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
A convoy of American troop carriers drives through the dusty terrain during Exercise Wakri near Ali Sabieh, Djibouti, Dec. 5, 2023. The convoy went between locations in rural Djibouti to set up temporary camps for members in the exercise. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
U.S. Army SGT Liliana Munday, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa liaison officer, practices combative movements during the French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti, Nov. 29, 2023. Munday was one of 40 U.S. service members to participate in the FDCC, a rigorous course designed to teach desert survival skills and tactics. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Haden Tolbert)
U.S. Army Sgt. Liliana Munday, a Soldier with 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina National Guard, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, practices grappling techniques with the assistance of another Soldieras a part of combative training during the French Desert Commando Course Nov. 29, at the Centre Dentrainment Au Combat Djibouti. Participants who successfully completed the training, which was hosted by the hosted by the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment, received the prestigious desert commando badge (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)
U.S. Soldier conquers French Desert Commando Course
12/19/2023
For nearly fifty years, French soldiers stationed in Djibouti have made their way to Arta Mountains for the French Desert Command course, a grueling five-day course designed to test soldiers’ physical, emotional and mental limits. This year 40 U.S. service members signed up for the challenge, among them was U.S. Army SGT Liliana Munday.
Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, left, and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, right, discuss joint operations in Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023. The Department of Defense has maintained a consistent presence in Djibouti and worked together as partners to ensure safety and stability in the region. (Department of State photo)
Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, left, meets with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, in Djibouti Nov. 22, 2023. The leaders discussed the enduring partnership between the two nations and their joint mission to ensure safety and stability in the region. (Department of State photo)
AFRICOM, Djibouti leaders continue to strengthen ties
12/4/2023
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Youssouf, during a recent visit to Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, speaks to deployed service members on Thanksgiving at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23. 2023. Woods and U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, paid a special holiday visit to Djibouti to meet with service members and express their gratitude and appreciation for their service all year long. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), speaks to deployed service members on Thanksgiving at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23. 2023. Langley and AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, visited Djibouti to meet with service members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their service all year long. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley presented awards to service members, attended a Turkey Bowl flag football game, and met with troops who are spending a holiday away from home. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley presented awards to service members, attended a Turkey Bowl flag football game, and met with troops who are spending a holiday away from home. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. U.S. Africa Command senior leaders visited service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier during the holidays. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, coins U.S. Army SGT Cyle Smith, 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Nov. 22, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley recognized outstanding performers, attended an annual Djibouti Bowl flag football game, and served Thanksgiving meals to junior service members deployed in the Horn of Africa. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
U.S. Africa Command leaders pose for a group photo with service members from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa during a visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023. Langley spent part of his visit to the installation engaging with troops currently deployed to the Horn of Africa. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
U.S Service members play against each other in a cross national football game at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Nov. 23, 2023. Langley visited troops stationed at Camp Lemonnier for a day of Thanksgiving festivities. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
