Members of the 2015 USO Entertainment Troupe pose for a photo during their trip to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. Actress Elizabeth Banks co-hosted the tour with actor David Wain, introducing numerous acts including comedian Sydney Castillo, singers Chris Daughtry, Brett James, Bill Montana, and Kyle Jacobs, and Boston Red Sox pitchers Heath Hembree and Steven Wright. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, introduces the hosts of the 2015 USO Entertainment Troupe during their visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. Dunford joined the tour as the senior leader on its multi-day, three-continent trip to show service members their appreciation during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shares a meal with service members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The chairman took time, while touring as senior leader for the 2015 USO entertainment troupe tour, to thank service members for their dedication and sacrifice during the holiday season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment (Seminole Battalion) during his visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The Chairman took time to thank the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for their contributions to enabling East African partners to fight violent extremist organizations in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to sailors from the Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 during his visit as part of the 2015 USO entertainment troupe tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The Riverines’ primary mission is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors - both inland and on coastal waterways. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Camp Lemonnier
12/9/2015
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke to troops while on the second stop of his multi-day, three-continent trip with the 2015 USO Entertainment Troupe.
A Japan Self-Defense Force member showcases traditional calligraphy during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. During the evening Japan Self-Defense Force members shared their culture, traditions and food with their counterparts from the U.S. and Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Senior enlisted members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. join in a traditional Eisa dance during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Eisa is a traditional dance, unique to Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, which is performed during seasonal festivals to honor and thank their ancestors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Participants from the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course view a traditional swordsmanship demonstration at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. The Japan Self-Defense Forces hosted the second gathering of senior enlisted members to share their culture and mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Master Sgt. Koji Urabe speaks about the Japanese mission in Djibouti to attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Military members from the U.S. and Djibouti learned about Japan’s role in reducing piracy in the Gulf of Aden. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Command Sgt. Maj. Ryuichi Ueda introduces the basics of Japanese culture to attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Military members from the U.S. and Djibouti learned about Japan’s location, climate, history, and unique cultural customs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Hisashi Nakajima introduces himself to other attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. gathered to learn about Japanese history, culture and mission to help attendees better understand their multicultural allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Senior enlisted members pose with swordsmen and Okinawan Eisa dancers after demonstrations that were part of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. The second rendition of the course enabled Japan Self-Defense Force members to share their mission, culture and traditions with their U.S. and Djiboutian counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Japan Self-Defense Forces host Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course
11/30/2015
More than 30 members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. gathered on the Japan Self-Defense Force base for anti-piracy operations in Djibouti, to attend a Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course, Nov. 24, 2015. The JFSEPDC is a multinational course aimed at mentoring and educating senior enlisted leaders serving with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier and allied forces.
A soldier from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stands in formation before the start of a patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. The patching ceremony is a time-honored tradition with roots dating back to World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa sing the Army Song at the conclusion of a patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. More than 150 soldiers were awarded their combat patch during the ceremony which has roots dating back to 1918. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, presents Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr. with the U.S. Africa Command combat patch during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. The soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA are now authorized to wear the U.S. Africa Command patch for the duration of their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Col. Kelly Kendrick, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa CJ3-5-7 director, salutes Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA commanding general, beginning a patching ceremony for soldiers at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. The patching ceremony is a time-honored tradition with roots dating back to World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Maj. Martin Stufflebeam, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa CJ-1 deputy director, places a combat patch on one of more than 150 soldiers awarded the patch during a ceremony held at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. The soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA are now authorized to wear the U.S. Africa Command patch for the duration of their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
More than 150 soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa gathered to don their newly earned combat patch during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015.
