U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Rodriguez, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment mortar gunner, aligns sights on a M224 60mm mortar launcher October 12, 2015, in Arta, Djibouti. Alpha Company operates using light infantry and various other force enablers, which operate together cohesively to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
U.S. Army Sgt. Nicholas Mormando, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, places two mortar tubes on a stack of mortars Oct. 12, 2015, in Arta Djibouti. As mortar men attached to the East Africa Response Force, soldiers from Alpha Company employ crew and weapons in offensive and defensive ground combat, carry out scout missions to spot enemy troops and locations, and employ, fire and recover anti-tank mines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
A U.S. Air Force joint terminal attack controller stands atop a cliff overlooking a mortar range Oct. 12, 2015, in Arta, Djibouti. The JTAC participation in the training added realistic joint interaction, similar to a combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
U.S. Army Pfc. Stephan Whelan, mortar gunner, left, and Spc. Steven Doherty, both assigned to Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, operate a M224 60mm mortar launcher during a training scenario Oct. 12, 2015, in Arta, Djibouti. ACO operates using light infantry and various other force enablers to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Matzdorf, mortar section leader, left, and Spc. Jeffery Ovechka, mortar gunner, assigned to Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, establish their mortar firing position during training Oct. 12, 2015, in Arta, Djibouti. Forward operators provide accurate detailed information in order to engage targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
U.S. Army Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment scout snipers fire M110 sniper rifles Oct. 14, 2015, at Arta, Djibouti. ACO, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, is the East Africa Response Force, the quick response force for all of the countries within the HOA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
Alpha Company, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, is the East Africa Response Force, the quick response force for all of the countries within the HOA. ACO operates using light infantry and various other force enablers, which operate together cohesively to accomplish their mission. ACO underwent weapons and mortar training in Arta, Djibouti.
Fellows from the 2016-1 CAPSTONE course tour Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 14, 2015. The CAPSTONE course provided newly appointed general and flag officers an opportunity to view the joint, inter-agency and multinational partnerships that enable Combined Task Force-Horn of Africa to support national security objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Nesha Humes)
Fellows from the 2016-1 CAPSTONE course gather at the end of their tour of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 14, 2015. The five-week CAPSTONE curriculum examines major issues affecting national security decision making, military strategy, joint/combined doctrine, interoperability, and key allied nation issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Fellows from the 2016-1 CAPSTONE course ask questions of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa senior staff during their mission brief at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 14, 2015. CAPSTONE is a five-week course for newly selected general and flag officers, and is designed to make the senior officers more effective in planning and employing forces in joint and combined operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
U.S. Army Col. Jim Patterson, CAPSTONE deputy director, receives a rungu stick from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 14, 2015. In the East African Maasai culture, the rungu is an important emblem of warrior status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Capstone ensures newly selected general and flag officers understand the fundamentals of joint doctrine, how to integrate the elements of national power in order to accomplish national security and national military strategies, and how joint, interagency, and multinational operations support national strategic goals and objectives.
Peter Kaestner shared an image he took of a Eurasian Hoopoe during his presentation about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kaestner served as the interim political advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s chief of staff. While at Camp Lemonnier he documented more than 100 different birds in less than six weeks. (Courtesy photo)
Peter Kaestner shared an image he took of a Rose-ringed Parakeet during his presentation about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. While traveling as a diplomat, Kaestner documented birds all around the globe. (Courtesy photo)
Peter Kaestner shared an image he took of a Grey-headed Kingfisher during his presentation about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kaestner hosted a bird watching presentation at the 11 Degree North building, where he presented photographs and gave details about many of the beautiful birds he has encountered here.
(Courtesy photo)
Peter Kaestner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa political advisor, describes Grallaria Kaestneri during a presentation Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. While living in Colombia, Kaestner heard a birdcall that was unknown. He tracked and located the bird, which was an undiscovered species. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
Peter Kaestner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa political advisor, talks about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kaestner hosted a presentation about bird watching, where he discussed many of the species he has documented. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
Peter Kaestner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa political advisor, speaks about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kaestner hosted a presentation about bird watching where he discussed many of the species he has documented. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
Peter Kaestner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa political advisor, talks about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Kaestner hosted a presentation about bird watching where he discussed many of the species he has documented. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)
Peter Kaestner shared an image he took of a Nile Valley Sunbird during his presentation about bird watching Oct. 9, 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. During his presentation, Kaestner explained we could stop wherever we are and appreciate the beauty of nature. (Courtesy photo)
