U.S. Army Lt. Col. Betty Cummisky, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion commander, speaks during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. They will conduct military-to-military and civil-military engagements to strengthen partner nation capacity and continue to build on the strong foundation established by the departing 415th CA BN. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion stand at ease during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. They will continue to build on a strong foundation with local military forces, civilian populations and civilian authorities, as well as advise the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general on the civil environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Betty Cummisky, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion commander, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tamara Edwards, 403rd CA BN command sergeant major, unfurl their unit colors during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Unfurling the unit colors signified the transfer of authority from the 415th CA BN, which is now preparing to redeploy home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers from the incoming 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion salute during the transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. As the two units stood side by side in separate formations, the 415th CA BN sheathed their unit colors while the 403rd CA BN unfurled theirs, signifying the transfer of authority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
The U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The 415th Civil Affairs Battalion arrived in Djibouti June 11, 2015, and has been working hand-in-hand with the local Djiboutian populace, authorities, Djibouti Armed Forces, and other integral organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs Battalions transfer authority
2/16/2016
Two U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalions assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Warrant Officer John Muthoka, Kenya Defence Forces sergeant major, answers questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces open the floor for questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four highest ranking of their enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces host a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. A difference amongst the KDF and U.S. enlisted forces is the level of responsibility and decision-making authority given to young Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces attend an Equal Opportunity brief at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four highest ranking of their enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces attend an Equal Opportunity brief at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The briefings focused on operations and how Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel accomplish the mission successfully, including equality and troop welfare. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Harper Smith, 2-124 Foxtrot Company first sergeant (right), discusses the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s motor pool capabilities with Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Along with providing important information and gaining insight into the younger members’ mindset, they spent an afternoon with their CJTF-HOA equivalent to see first-hand how each U.S. SEL led the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Harper Smith, 2-124 Foxtrot Company first sergeant (right), discusses the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s motor pool capabilities with Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Along with providing important information and gaining insight into the younger members’ mindset, they spent an afternoon with their CJTF-HOA equivalent to see first-hand how each U.S. SEL led the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bruha, 2-124 Bravo Company acting first sergeant, demonstrates the U.S. Army’s method for clearing and securing a weapon for Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Adam Bruha, 2-124 Bravo Company acting first sergeant, explains the benefits of an advanced combat optical gunsight for Kenya Army Warrant Officer James Omollo, Kenya Army sergeant major, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The partnerships built and strengthened between the leaders is vital for ensuring mission success – for AMISOM, the current situation in Somalia, neutralizing Al-Shabaab and stabilizing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer Dennis Talengo, Kenya Air Force sergeant major, speaks with Maj. Anthony Alexander, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron commander, and Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Bedard, 82nd ERQS superintendent, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The partnerships built and strengthened between the leaders is vital for ensuring mission success – for AMISOM, the current situation in Somalia, neutralizing Al-Shabaab, and stabilizing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Kenya Air Force Warrant Officer Dennis Talengo, Kenya Air Force sergeant major, speaks with Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Bedard, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron superintendent, Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The visit included several briefings, one-on-one SEL engagements, a base tour, and a town hall meeting with junior enlisted service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, speaks with sergeants major from the Kenya Defence Forces Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The visit included several briefings, one-on-one SEL engagements, a base tour, and a town hall meeting with junior enlisted service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks with sergeants major from the Kenya Defence Forces Feb. 10, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kenya is one of the five troop contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia, and is the second largest of the three countries bordering Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Top enlisted KDF visit, strengthen bond with CJTF-HOA partners
2/14/2016
Senior enlisted leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and the Kenya Defence Forces met at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to exchange ideas and share procedures Feb. 10-12.
