Yousef Yousef, an interpreter embedded with members of the U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, left, communicates with Salt Water Rest Stop village elders near Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The team, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, sought to strengthen partnerships with the village by understanding the utility and significance of Lac Abbé. This is the team’s first interaction with the rural village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Members of the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion meets with Salt Water Rest Stop village elders for the first time, at Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The civil affairs members assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, act as liaisons between the military and their civilian counterparts. They identify critical requirements needed by local civilians while seeking to build trust and confidence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)
Civil affairs visits Djiboutian village to assess local needs
5/26/2015
Members of the U.S. Army 404th Civil Affairs Battalion meet with Salt Water Rest Stop village elders for the first time, at Lac Abbé, Djibouti, May 20, 2015. The civil affairs members assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, act as liaisons between the military and their civilian counterparts. They identify critical requirements needed by local civilians while seeking to build trust and confidence.
Service members salute the colors during a Memorial Day Ceremony at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Djibouti, May 25, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, and Sgt. Maj. Claudell Taylor, CJTF-HOA senior enlisted leader, salute a Memorial Day display at CJTF-HOA, Djibouti, May 25, 2015. The display was in honor of U.S. military personnel who have died in service to their country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
A U.S. Army soldier bows his head in prayer at a Memorial Day display at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Djibouti, May 25, 2015. The display was built to honor the memory of the men and women who have died in service to their country and was put together during the Memorial Day ceremony with pieces of equipment common to soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA service members honor fallen heroes in Memorial Day ceremony
5/25/2015
Service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa paid tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country during a Memorial Day ceremony here May 25, 2015.
More than 300 joint service members, including a joint-service platoon formation, attended the ceremony, which was officiated by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA commander, and U.S. Navy Capt. Matthew O’Keefe, Camp Lemonnier commander.
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kicks for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
Volunteers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and local villagers distribute soccer balls to the children of Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015. More than 40 soccer balls were given to the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), by the “Kick for Nick” charity to distribute to the local children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kicks for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
A child holds a sign with the name of a donator who contributed to the "kick for Nick" charity, at Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015. Contributions to the charity, setup in honor of a fallen U.S. Army soldier who loved soccer, have led to thousands of soccer balls being distributed to children worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kicks for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
A child holds a soccer ball given to him by volunteers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa during a visit by members of the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), to Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015. Chebelley village is a community near Camp Lemonnier that the 404th CA BN visits monthly for community events and projects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kicks for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
Volunteers from Combined joint Task Force-Horn of Africa distribute soccer balls to children at Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015. The soccer balls were given to volunteers for distribution by the “Kick for Nick” charity, to honor the memory of U.S. Army Pvt. Nick Madaras. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kicks for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
Capt. Michael Silva, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion dentist, entertains a group of children at Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015. Silva was one of several volunteers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa who helped deliver more than 40 donated soccer balls from the “Kick for Nick” charity to the village. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)
CJTF-HOA volunteers deliver “Kick for Nick” donations to local community
5/23/2015
Members of the U.S. Army’s 404th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and volunteers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, visited Chebelley Village, Djibouti, May 21, 2015, to continue a tradition born from the memory of one soldier whose love for soccer has led to a world of giving.
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, salutes the audience during a relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, passes the sword to Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA commander, during a relinquishment of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner former Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader thanks service members and civilians for their hard work during the relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, passes the sword to U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell Taylor, during the relinquishment of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell Taylor, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader speaks to service members assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti during a relinquishment of authority ceremony May 16, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Claudell R. Taylor assumed responsibility as the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader (CSEL), succeeding U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 16, 2015.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently visited Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa headquarters at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during a series of stops with several partner nations throughout Africa.