U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Collin Scheffer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, operates a grater to evenly spread gravel during a road construction project May 2, 2016, at Chebelley, Djibouti. The battalion created approximately 800 feet of road, eight hours a day for two months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Chebelly, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, meets partner-nation service members during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, salutes during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag saluted the CJTF-HOA formation for the first time as the commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
(From the left) U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, new Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, and Maj. General Mark Stammer, departing CJTF-HOA commanding general, cut a cake during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen stand in formation during the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The formation represented the joint services that U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, CJTF-HOA commander, will be responsible for after assuming command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. J. Travis Moger, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa director of religious affairs, gives an invocation at the beginning of the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA after serving as commanding general for the Special Operations Command South at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. military members stand in a color guard formation during a change of command ceremony for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony officially transferred command of the task force from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa salute while the U.S. and Djiboutian national anthems play during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA from previous commander Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, passes the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa flag to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The passing of the flag signified the change of command from Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to Sonntag, as the CJTF-HOA commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s senior leadership prepare to transfer command and responsibility of the unit from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA outgoing commander, to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Passing of the flag during a change of command is a military tradition that symbolizes the passing of responsibility from the old commander to the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, departing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer arrived at CJTF-HOA a year ago and will now be the deputy commander of the I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa outgoing commander, gives his final remarks about his time as commander of CJTF-HOA during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer served for one year as the commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests applaud during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, awards U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr., CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony March 27, 2016. Butler has been the command senior enlisted leader since June. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr., Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, receives the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony March 27, 2016. During the ceremony, Kendrick said farewell to colleagues and staff members before heading back to the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general awards U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony April 12, 2016. Stammer's next assignment will be at I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, awards U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, the Defense Superior Service Medal at his farewell awards ceremony April 12, 2016. Stammer received the medal for his service at CJTF-HOA over the past year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at his farewell awards ceremony April 12, 2016. The commander relinquishes command Wednesday and returns to the U.S. after serving a year here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
U.S., Rwanda complete phase two effort to enhance RDF’s peacekeeping operations
Rwanda Defence Force Civil-Military Affairs officers use an interpreter to gather information from a role player during a simulated needs assessment, April 7, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Both U.S. and Rwandan forces rely on interpreters to not only relay information, but also help with cultural understanding. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
U.S., Rwanda complete phase two effort to enhance RDF’s peacekeeping operations
Rwanda Defence Force Civil-Military Affairs officers gather information from U.S. Army Spc. Kristie Richardson, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion team medic, during a CIMIC engagement April 7, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. CIMIC officers performed a needs assessment during a simulated peacekeeping deployment, gathering information from role players to determine the needs of the local populace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
U.S., Rwanda complete phase two effort to enhance RDF’s peacekeeping operations
Members of the Rwanda Defence Force discuss use of interpreters with Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion during a Civil-Military Cooperation engagement April 6, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The engagement was the second exchange of best practices to strengthen the relationship between CJTF-HOA and RDF to support regional training efforts for peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Gen. David Rodriguez, Commander U.S. Africa Command and en. Samora Yunis, Chief of Staff Ethiopian National Defense Force sign the summary of conclusions after a Bilateral Defense Committee (BDC) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 March, 2016. The new agreement out lines the cross-exchange of logistics, services, supplies and support, as well as a way forward for the Africa Data-Sharing Network and combat engineering. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Gen. Samora Yunis, Chief of Staff Ethiopian National Defense Force, and Siraj Fergessa the Ethiopian Minister of Defense, host a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony with Amanda Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslach, Gen. David Rodriguez, Commander U.S. Africa Command, and Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Commanding General Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa before the 6th Annual Bilateral Defense Committee (BDC) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 March, 2016. The BDC is a ministerial level event in which high ranking civilian and military leaders from both countries come together in order to create a signed document which outlines both parties mutually agreed upon future cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Amanda Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs and Siraj Fergessa the Ethiopian Minister of Defense, talk about family and how Fergessa's new born son will be named before the start of the 6th Annual U.S. and Ethiopian Bilateral Defense Committee (BDC) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 March, 2016. The BDC is a ministerial level event in which high ranking civilian and military leaders from both countries come together in order to create a signed document which outlines both parties mutually agreed upon future cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Gen. David Rodriguez, Commander U.S. Africa Command and en. Samora Yunis, Chief of Staff Ethiopian National Defense Force sign the summary of conclusions after a Bilateral Defense Committee (BDC) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 31 March, 2016. The new agreement out lines the cross-exchange of logistics, services, supplies and support, as well as a way forward for the Africa Data-Sharing Network and combat engineering. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
U.S. Army cadres pin badges on Soldiers during an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB signifies the most skilled infantry members, proving themselves masters of physical fitness, night and day land navigation, weapons, combat medical techniques, patrolling, a 12-mile road march, and the Objective Bull. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army cadres pin badges on Soldiers during an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB signifies the most skilled infantry members, proving themselves masters of physical fitness, night and day land navigation, weapons, combat medical techniques, patrolling, a 12-mile road march, and the Objective Bull. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. and French Army Soldiers begin an Expert Infantry Badge pinning ceremony April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. The EIB course focuses on tasks of an infantryman that build the core foundation of individual proficiency, preparing them to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver and repel an enemy assault through fire and close combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Soldiers walk into the ocean to celebrate completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. After completing the 12-mile ruck and Objective Bull, some candidates cooled down in the nearby water before changing their uniforms for the pinning ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S and French Army Soldiers celebrate completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. As infantrymen reached the beach and completed their last tasks, high-fives, handshakes and smiles finally resurfaced after enduring the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Soldiers congratulate each other after completing an Expert Infantry Badge course April 1, 2016, at Arta, Djibouti. As infantrymen reached the beach and completed their last tasks, high-fives, handshakes and smiles finally resurfaced after enduring the past week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate pulls a simulated casualty to safety April 1, 2016, during the Objective Bull portion of the EIB course at Arta, Djibouti. The Objective Bull honors the first EIB recipient, Technical Sergeant Walter Bull, who earned the badge in 1944. The final test is a simulated combat casualty care situation requiring physical and psychological strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Expert Infantry Badge candidate treats a simulated casualty April 1, 2016, during the Objective Bull portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. The Objective Bull honors the first EIB recipient, Technical Sergeant Walter Bull, who earned the badge in 1944. The final test is a simulated combat casualty care situation requiring physical and psychological strength. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Soldiers prepare for Objective Bull April 1, 2016, during the last portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. As they reached the end of the week the infantrymen were put to the test completing a 12-mile road march in less than three hours, followed by the Objective Bull in 20 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Soldiers perform a 12-mile road march April 1, 2016, during the last portion of the Expert Infantry Badge course at Arta, Djibouti. As they reached the end of the week the infantrymen were put to the test completing a 12-mile road march in less than three hours, followed by the Objective Bull in 20 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)