Moussa Ali Meigague, Institute of Diplomatic Studies director, congratulates students on their accomplishments during the IDS graduation ceremony in Djibouti, June 14, 2015. This ceremony marks the first full academic year of foreign languages at the institute. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
Tom Kelly, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, speaks about the importance of learning multiple languages during a graduation ceremony at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Djibouti, June 14, 2015. During the last academic year, the graduates have been studying English, Chinese or Amharic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
Ambassadors, Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members attend a graduation ceremony at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Djibouti June 14, 2015. 404th Civil Affairs soldiers taught Djiboutian civil servants English during the past academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
Djibouti has a diverse population, filled with people from all over the world who speak different languages. Learning a new language opens up the possibility to talk to someone in their native tongue and bridge the communication gap.
Senior leaders from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa hosted a delegation of professional working media representatives from the countries of Morocco and Tunisia via video-teleconference June 10.
U.S. Army Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh receives a National Defense Medal during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
The French National Defense Medal is pinned on a soldier at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. The French National Defense Medal, created in 1982, is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. It is rare for U.S. service members to receive this decoration, and general officers are the usual recipients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receives a National Defense Medal during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, pins a National Defense Medal on U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015, due to his life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, addresses French and U.S. troops during an award ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. Three U.S. Army soldiers received the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) for saving the life of a French service member during a motor vehicle accident Feb. 27, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright wait to receive a French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb., 2015. The French National Defense Medal, created in 1982, is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. It is rare for U.S. service members to receive this decoration, and general officers are the usual recipients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Air Force Col. James Kriesel, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa chief of staff, and French Marine Col. Jean-Bruno Despouys, 5th Marines commanding officer, conduct a Pass and Review during a ceremony at a Naval base in Djibouti, June 11, 2015. During the ceremony, three U.S. Army personnel received a French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) for saving the life of a French service member during a motor vehicle accident Feb. 27, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receive the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb. 27, 2015. The French National Defense Medal is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. Silver and gold-level medals are usually reserved to French individuals who have served in the French military for several years, and it is rare for U.S. service members to receive this award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army soldiers receive French National Defense Medal (Silver Level)
6/12/2015
U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Hames, Sgt. Rawan Abudahrieh and Sgt. 1st Class Geoffrey Bright receive the French National Defense Medal (Silver Level) June 11, 2015, for providing life-saving medical care to a French service member during a catastrophic motor vehicle accident in Feb. 27, 2015. The French National Defense Medal is awarded on three levels—bronze, silver and gold. Silver and gold-level medals are usually reserved to French individuals who have served in the French military for several years, and it is rare for U.S. service members to receive this award. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
*Note: to see previous story, visit https://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/11651/training-for-reality-army-civil-affairs
The Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) Marching Band performs during the FAD’s 38th anniversary celebration June 6, 2015 at Camp Cheik Osman, Djibouti,. The FAD invited leadership from their partner nations in honor of their independence day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
From left, William P. West, Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa deputy commander, Col. James Kreisel, CJTF-HOA chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Kentucky National Guard adjutant general, wait for the Djiboutian Armed Forces’ (FAD) 38th anniversary celebration to begin at Camp Cheik Osman, Djibouti, June 6, 2015. Tonini attended the event after representing the KNG in ratifying a state partnership agreement with the FAD days earlier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
The Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) Marching Band performs during the Djiboutian Armed Forces’ (FAD) 38th anniversary celebration June 6, 2015 at Camp Cheik Osman, Djibouti. The FAD was created June, 6, 1977, 21 days before becoming an independent country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, Djiboutian Armed Forces (FAD) chief of defense, salutes his troops during the FAD’s 38th anniversary celebration at Camp Cheik Osman, Djibouti, June 6, 2015. Zakaria gained command in 2013 and is responsible for 6500 Djiboutian military personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, listen to a speaker during the Djiboutian Armed Forces’ (FAD) 38th anniversary celebration June 6, 2015 at Camp Cheik Osman, Djibouti. The FAD invited its partner nations to celebrate the creation of the FAD while observing the pride and professionalism of Djibouti’s service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
