U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, Jr., U.S. Africa Command chief of staff, speaks to the crowd as the guest speaker of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa 242nd Army Birthday Ball, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 17, 2017. Approximately 300 deployed U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, DoD civilians, and partner nations attended the event. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

Approximately 300 deployed U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, DoD civilians, and partner nations attended the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa 242nd Army Ball at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 17, 2017. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, Jr., U.S. Africa Command chief of staff, served as the event’s guest speaker. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

U.S. Navy Capt. David Rodriguez, CJTF-HOA chaplain and director of the office of religious affairs, and Bishop Giorgio Bertin, appointed bishop to Djibouti and an apostolic administrator for Somalia, led a mass where Camp Lemonnier-stationed Roman Catholics and their Djiboutian counterparts met in faith, worshipping together inside the main Catholic church of Djibouti – Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur de Djibouti, known in English as Our Lady of the Good Shepherd Cathedral. Last month, the Combined Joint task Force – Horn of Africa Religious Affairs Office began the mission of once again uniting the faithful in Djibouti’s cathedral.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

Camp Lemonnier-stationed Roman Catholics and their Djiboutian counterparts met iin faith, worshipping together inside the main Catholic church of Djibouti – Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur de Djibouti, known in English as Our Lady of the Good Shepherd Cathedral, June 15, 2017. Last month, the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa Religious Affairs Office began the mission of once again uniting the faithful in Djibouti’s cathedral.(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

Camp Lemonnier-stationed Roman Catholics and their Djiboutian counterparts met in faith, worshipping together inside the main Catholic church of Djibouti – Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur de Djibouti, known in English as Our Lady of the Good Shepherd Cathedral, Djibouti City, June 15, 2017. In addition to monthly masses assisting the religious needs of members here, they also are considered part of strategic religious ministry in that they can be considered key leader engagement events. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

U.S. Navy Lt. Francis Okoli, a Catholic chaplain on Camp Lemonnier, and Bishop Giorgio Bertin, appointed bishop to Djibouti and an apostolic administrator for Somalia, conduct a Roman Catholic mass for Camp Lemonnier-stationed members and their Djiboutian counterparts inside the main Catholic church of Djibouti – Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur de Djibouti, known in English as Our Lady of the Good Shepherd Cathedral, June 15, 2017.Three years after a terrorist attack in downtown Djibouti prompted the need for increased liberty restrictions here, Camp Lemonnier personnel are again attending religious services in downtown Djibouti. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)

Members of the Italian Army load cargo for an Air Transportation and Refueling Exchange of Service (ATARES) proof-of-concept mission out of Djibouti, Africa, June 6, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Italian Army member Gennaro de Gennaro)

Members of the Italian Army load cargo for an Air Transportation and Refueling Exchange of Service (ATARES) proof-of-concept mission out of Djibouti, Africa, June 6, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Italian Army member Gennaro de Gennaro)

Col. Nuuraani Ali Dirir, Liaison Officer for European Training Mission in Somalia, listens to the radio in anticipation for the call to prayer at the at the Mogadishu International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Five times a day from hundreds of thousands of mosques and places of worship the call to prayer is heard throughout the world.(U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

A plate of dates rests on a table before an Iftar held in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink, including water from dawn till dusk. After sunset, eating dates and drinking water traditionally breaks the fast. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abuhena Saifulislam, U.S. Africa Command deputy command chaplain, leads a prayer before an Iftar with members of the Somali National Army at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. This was the first Iftar held between U.S. and SNA military personnel. Additionally, it was the first led by a U.S. Imam, who is a leader in the Islamic faith. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

Service members from the U.S. and Somali National Army join for an Iftar, the nightly meal that ends the day’s fast during Ramadan, at the Mogadishu International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel Castellanos, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa deputy commanding general in Somalia and Mogadishu Coordination Cell director, hosted the Iftar, strengthening bonds between the U.S. and Somali militaries. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abuhena Saifulislam, U.S. Africa Command deputy command chaplain, speaks with a member of the Somali National Army following Ramadan prayers at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Saifulislam is the first Imam to be part of the AFRICOM Chaplain Corps and led the prayer that preceded the Iftar, which is the nightly meal that ends the day’s fast during Ramadan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abuhena Saifulislam, U.S. Africa Command deputy command chaplain, speaks with members of the Somali National Army during a prayer before an Iftar at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Saifulislam is the first Imam to be part of the AFRICOM Chaplain Corps and led the prayer that preceded the Iftar, which is the nightly meal that ends the day’s fast during Ramadan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

Military boots rest near a sheet placed on the ground for a prayer before an Iftar with members of the Somali National Army at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. This was the first Iftar held between U.S. and SNA military personnel. Additionally, it was the first led by a U.S. Imam, who is a leader in the Islamic faith. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

Members of the Somali National Army kneel to pray before an Iftar at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

Members of the Somali National Army pray before an Iftar at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Abuhena Saifulislam, U.S. Africa Command deputy command chaplain, leads the prayer at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. This was the first Iftar held between U.S. and Somali National Army military personnel. Additionally, it was the first led by a U.S. Imam, who is a leader in the Islamic faith. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

A member of the Somali National Army reaches for a date to break his fast during Ramadan at the Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink, including water from dawn till dusk. After sunset, eating dates and drinking water traditionally breaks the fast. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jocelyn Morales, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa religious affairs chaplain assistant, prepares a plate of samosas for a dual-service Iftar at the Mogadishu International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, June 5, 2017. Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Cochran, 449th Air Expeditionary Group incoming commander, speaks to the crowd during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Cochran is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The passing of the flag is a military tradition signifying the change of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Cochran, 449th Air Expeditionary Group incoming commander, receives the 449th AEG flag from U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Cochran is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The passing of the flag is a military tradition signifying the change of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presents U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini the Legion of Merit during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Cochran is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The Legion of Merit is presented for exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

CJTF-HOA welcomes new 449th AEG commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Cochran, 449th Air Expeditionary Group incoming commander, as he receives the 449th AEG flag from U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Cochran is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The passing of the flag is a military tradition signifying the change of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, speaks to the crowd during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. CJTF-HOA welcomes new 449th AEG commander U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Cochran, 449th Air Expeditionary Group incoming commander, is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The passing of the flag is a military tradition signifying the change of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

CJTF-HOA welcomes new 449th AEG commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Cochran, 449th Air Expeditionary Group incoming commander, as he receives the 449th AEG flag from U.S. Air Force Col. Andra Kniep, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, during the 449th AEG Change of Command ceremony June 9, 2017, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Cochran is relieving U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bruzzini who has served as the 449th AEG Commander since June 6, 2016. The passing of the flag is a military tradition signifying the change of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

Chief of Staff

U.S. service members participate in a motivational run around Camp Lemonnier during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 2, 2017. The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here, all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. service members participate in a motivational run around Camp Lemonnier during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 2, 2017. The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here, all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cameron Smith, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, low-crawls while completing a combat fitness test during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 31, 2017. During the Corporal’s Course, the students received more than 120 hours of instruction over the course of 16 days with a curriculum that consisted of various subjects to include; customs and traditions, land navigation, communications, social media interaction, leadership, and combat fitness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Isaiah Caplan, carries U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christian Davis, both assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, while completing a combat fitness test during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 31, 2017. A partnered effort between the Marine Corps Element and CJTF-HOA, the Corporals’ Leadership Development Course is a professional military education program traditionally for Marine Corps Corporals that places emphasis on basic leadership skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Army Spc. Kim-Sean Mam executes a fireman’s carry with U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Ogle, both assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 31, 2017. The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here, all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl Richard Byrne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, carries ammo cans during a combat fitness test during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 31, 2017. The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here, all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christian Davis, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, prepares to present arms with a guidon during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. The course is a requirement for Marines in the enlisted grade of E-4, but here, all U.S. service members in the ranks of corporal, specialist, senior airman or petty officer third class were allowed to participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyree McNealy, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, demonstrates handling of the guidon during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. The intent of the course is to equip and prepare Marines to smartly transition from being subordinates to being small unit leaders. During this course, Corporals gain insight into key facets of their new grade and responsibilities and are thus prepared to take on future leadership challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyree McNealy, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, speaks to students in the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. The intent of the course is to equip and prepare Marines to smartly transition from being subordinates to being small unit leaders. During this course, Corporals gain insight into key facets of their new grade and responsibilities and are thus prepared to take on future leadership challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dustin Russell, assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, calls commands for a sword and guidon evaluation during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. The intent of the course is to equip and prepare Marines to smartly transition from being subordinates to being small unit leaders. During this course, Corporals gain insight into key facets of their new grade and responsibilities and are thus prepared to take on future leadership challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Matthew White, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, marks an evaluation score for a student during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. A partnered effort between the Marine Corps Element and CJTF-HOA, the Corporals’ Leadership Development Course is a professional military education program traditionally for Marine Corps Corporals that places emphasis on basic leadership skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Ogle, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, prepares to complete a sword and guidon evaluation during the Corporal’s Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 24, 2017. As a dual effort of the Marine Corps Element and CJTF-HOA, the Corporals’ Leadership Development Course is a professional military education program traditionally for Marine Corps Corporals that places emphasis on basic leadership skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eboni Prince)

Left to right, U.S. Air Force Maj. Christopher Narvaez, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Joint Logistics Operations Center deputy branch chief, ITA Air Force MCPO Roberto Scattolini and ITA Navy CDR Giovanni Cantamessa, and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chiquivia Clark review the paperwork for the U.S. military pallet destined for Somalia on an Italian military C-130 Hercules June 6, 2017, at the Djibouti International Airport, Djibouti. The two nations participated in CJTF-HOA’s first Air Transportation and Refueling Exchange of Service. (U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond)