U.S. service members and partners from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom participated in the first Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa CJ-5 Directorate-led simulated crisis response tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. The exercise brought foreign liaison officers together to enhance cooperation and readiness in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. service members and partners from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom participated in the first Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa CJ-5 Directorate-led simulated crisis response tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. The exercise demonstrated unity of action and improved coordination during disaster response efforts in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa admin NCO, prepares to serve the ball at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 6, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. Playing volleyball has been a building block in Ortiz’s career. It has taught him valuable lessons in communication and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, plays in a pick-up volleyball game at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. “Volleyball is a big stress reliever, especially on deployments…you need to surround yourself with positive individuals.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, poses with an old photo of him at the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 6, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. “While in Italy, I saw many different types of leadership, and because of that I was able to take bits and pieces to figure out what type of leader I want to be,” said Ortiz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, poses with an old photo of him at the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 6, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. “While in Italy, I saw many different types of leadership, and because of that I was able to take bits and pieces to figure out what type of leader I want to be,” said Ortiz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, serves the ball during a pick-up volleyball game at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. “Volleyball is a big stress reliever, especially on deployments…you need to surround yourself with positive individuals.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, sets the ball during a pick-up volleyball game at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. “Volleyball is a big stress reliever, especially on deployments…you need to surround yourself with positive individuals.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Ortiz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-3 admin NCO, poses with a volleyball at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 6, 2025. Ortiz was highlighted in CJTF-HOA’s Human of HOA feature and shared his story about leadership through volleyball. Playing volleyball has been a building block in Ortiz’s career. It has taught him valuable lessons in communication and teamwork. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants attend a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

U.S. service members are briefed on the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members strengthen their endurance and stamina on a run as they participate and train with the French Forces Djibouti for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members train for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members participate in a knot tying class in preparation for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members learn various knot tying techniques in preparation for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members participate in a knot tying class in preparation for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

U.S. service members learn various knot tying techniques in preparation for the French Desert Commando Course at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment Base, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2025. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the FDCC. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. James Webster)

Participants of a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course pose for a group photo at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The course utilized an interactive seminar-style format to present the knowledge and skills critical to developing and conducting effective GHE programs and activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

A Djiboutian Coast Guard service member and U.S. Army personnel present a group project during a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2025. The FOGHE is a three-day course that improved understanding of the full array of issues surrounding and shaping global health engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Participants of a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course have a group discussion at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 25, 2025. The FOGHE is a three-day course that improved understanding of the full array of issues surrounding and shaping global health engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

A U.S. Army soldier and a Djibouti Coast Guard service member participate in a group discussion during the Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 25, 2025. The FOGHE is a three-day course that improved understanding of the full array of issues surrounding and shaping global health engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

A U.S. Marine listens during a group discussion amongst allies, partners and service members during a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 25, 2025. The three-day course was centered on establishing and improving the awareness level and understanding of U.S. Department of Defense global health engagements with partners and allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

Allies and partners gather in a team discussion during a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 25, 2025. The FOGHE was a three-day course that improved understanding of a full spectrum array of issues surrounding and shaping global health engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

U.S. service members, partners and allies listen to presentations during a Fundamentals of Global Health Engagement course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 25, 2025. Attendees of the course gained an understanding of how to identify the complex components such as social, economic and cultural considerations of DoD health engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)

U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Kerry L. Meuhlenbeck, Arizona Adjutant General, center, stands with soldiers returning from deployment from Poland. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aileen Espenoza, Jailene Valdez’s sister, her friend Army Staff Sgt. Arlae Valenzuela and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lupecelia Leon, influenced Valdez to become a warrant officer and cheered her on through her candidacy. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)

on Feb 6, 2025. Valdez manages and organizes the policies and memos for the CJTF- HOA staff and manages the human resource team who ensured service members received their awards, pay and mobilization movements accurately. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa administrative NCO in charge, leads an administrative meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Feb 6, 2025. Valdez manages and organizes the policies and memos for the CJTF- HOA staff and manages the human resource team who ensured service members received their awards, pay and mobilization movements accurately. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

Warrant Officer Yanie Matyas, Warrant Officer Chelsey Ewald and Warrant Officer Jailene Valdez pose before their graduation of their Warrant Officer Candidate course. All three grew close not only because of their shared human resource roles, but also their mindsets and drive to make a difference in the military. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa administrative NCO in charge, leads an administrative meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Feb 6, 2025. Valdez manages and organizes the policies and memos for the CJTF- HOA staff and manages the human resource team who ensured service members received their awards, pay and mobilization movements accurately. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

Warrant Officer candidates Yanie Matyas, Chelsey Ewald and Jailene Valdez pose as they enjoy time together as they bond during their human resources warrant officer class. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)

Warrant Officer candidates Chelsey Ewald, Yanie Matyas and Jailene Valdez take a helicopter to Camp Navajo, Flagstaff Arizona, in preparation of their volunteer event. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)

Warrant Officer candidate Jailene Valdez, along with her fellow candidates, prepare to go to Camp Navajo, Flagstaff Arizona, to support a volunteer event. The teams worked together to clean up the camp and wore pink to represent their class. The photo depicts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jailene Valdez to highlight her Warrant Officer journey in Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Humans of HOA feature. (Courtesy photo)

A Djiboutian Battalion Intervention Rapide soldier reviews a plan with his team during exercise Justified Accord 2025 at Arta Range Complex, Djibouti, Feb. 11, 2025. JA25 is the premier U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) exercise in East Africa, designed to enhance multinational combat readiness, strengthen crisis response capabilities and empower allies and partners in the region. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted in Kenya, Djibouti and Tanzania, JA25 integrates high-intensity training scenarios that sharpen warfighting skills, increase operational reach and enhance the ability to execute complex joint and multinational operations. The exercise runs from Feb. 10–21, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Joey Ke)