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.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work speaks with soldiers from Delta Co. 2-124, Florida Army National Guard Nov. 26, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. During his visit to the camp, Work met with members of the quick response force to thank them for their service during the Thanksgiving holiday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work serves Thanksgiving lunch to members of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 26, 2015. After visiting much of the base, Work took the opportunity to sit down and eat a Thanksgiving meal with members of the camp. The group discussed changes across the Department of Defense and their deployment experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work speaks with soldiers from Delta Co. 2-124, Florida Army National Guard Nov. 26, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. While visiting the quick response force unit, Work discussed changes across the Department of Defense and answered questions from many of the soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work speaks with NCOs from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 26, 2015. After visiting much of the base, Work took the opportunity to sit down and eat a Thanksgiving meal with members of the camp. The group discussed changes across the Department of Defense and their deployment experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work speaks with soldiers from Delta Co. 2-124 of the Florida Army National Guard Nov. 26, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. During his visit to the camp, Work met with members of the quick response force to thank them and other camp service members for their service during the Thanksgiving holiday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
During his visit to Camp Lemonnier, Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work met with service members to speak about current themes across the Department of Defense and their individual deployment experiences. To conclude his visit, members of the camp joined Work for a Thanksgiving meal.
Senior Airman Zachary McGhee, 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, instructs a forklift operator to lower cargo onto a C-130J Super Hercules Nov. 24, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The 75th EAS’ C-130J aircrews fly a wide range of missions, including the timely movement of the East Africa Response Force in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
