Rwandan Defense Force Col. Faustin Kalisa, Engineering Brigade commander, gives opening remarks for military-to-military sharing of best practices at the RDF Engineering Brigade Headquarters near Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 15, 2015. Engineers from Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa exchanged information with RDF engineers about how to plan expeditionary base camps from the ground up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Kigali, Rwanda
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is greeted and cheered by fellow competitors after crossing the finish line during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec.17, 2015, in Djibouti. Although paralyzed from the chest down, Dorival participates in races and plans to cross Death Valley in his wheel chair in 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 runners from different countries participated in the desert race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is cheered on by more than 1,500 fellow competitors on his way to the winner’s podium after completing the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival was injured in the line of duty, but continues to serve as a reservist in the French Army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is cheered on by more than 1,500 fellow competitors after completing the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival continues to serve as a reservist in the French Army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners sprint for the finish line in the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 service members and civilians representing France, Djibouti, U.S., Japan, Germany and others participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Members of Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa pose for a group photo after completing the 2015 Grand Bara 15K race in Djibouti Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 runners from different countries participated in the desert race (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The race was originally established in 1982 as an internal event for the French, organized by the 13th demi-brigade of the French Foreign Legion until 2010. When the Legionaires left Djibouti, the French 5th inter-army regiment took over. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, treks across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival was injured while on duty and is paralyzed from the chest down. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
A runner sprints for the finish line during the Grand Bara 15K race in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 250 members from Camp Lemonnier participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
A runner makes her way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 service members and civilians representing France, Djibouti, U.S., Japan, Germany and others participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Most races start with a gunshot, but the Grand Bara traditionally starts with a flyover of French Mirage fighter jets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Members of Camp Lemonnier run during the 2015 Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The Grand Bara is a desert in southern Djibouti consisting of large areas of sand flats, with sparse, semi-desert and desert grasses and scrub vegetation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The Grand Bara run includes runners from American, Japanese, French and local Djiboutian militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
U.S. Navy Lt. Steven Hunt and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Bevin Keen from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa listen to introductions at the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 16, 2015. The museum exhibits photos, media and artwork related to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Survivors provided testimony to help tell the story for future generations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Kagali, Rwanda
Lost lives remembered
U.S. Navy Senior Chief Cheryl Norris from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa looks at photos of victims at the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 16, 2015. Family members of those lost in the genocide contributed photos to the museum in their memory. The photo room contains thousands of personal photos. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Kagali, Rwanda
Lost lives remembered
Photos of children hang in the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 16, 2015. A portion of the museum named “futures lost” is dedicated to children killed in the 1994 genocide of Tutsi tribe members. Infants and young children who have been identified are highlighted in this portion of the exhibit. It is still unknown how many children were lost in the genocide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Kagali, Rwanda
Lost lives remembered
U.S. Navy Lt. Steven Hunt, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Bevin Keen, and Navy Senior Chief Cheryl Norris contemplate a stained glass art installation at the Genocide Memorial Museum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 16, 2015. While on a mission to Rwanda, representatives from Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa visited the museum to learn more about the 1994 genocide and to pay respects at the museum’s mass grave site where 250,000 victims were relocated after the atrocities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed, Kigali, Rwanda
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Senior Airman Nina Orlando, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa broadcast journalist, right, discusses composition with Sgt. Fatouma Gouled of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) Dec. 3, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The CJTF-HOA Public Affairs Office hosted members of the FAD to share best practices in photography and broadcast journalism. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Senior Airman Nina Orlando, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa broadcast journalist, center, interviews Tech. Sgt. Daniel DeCook, photojournalism NCOIC, during a scenario Dec. 3, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa public affairs personnel shared U.S. techniques for shooting video, operating the camera and conducting a live interview to help improve the FAD’s public affairs capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Senior Airman Nina Orlando, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa broadcast journalist, left, discusses video composition with members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) Dec. 3, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Similar to U.S. military journalists, the Djiboutian photographers and videographers gather still and video imagery for mission documentation, media distribution and operational purposes. The engagement with the FAD enabled participants to share their knowledge and experiences with each other and build relationships between the two militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) discuss photographic composition Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs Office spent a week sharing photography and videography best practices with the FAD members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
2nd Class Rahma Mahmoud, left, and Cpl. Arafat Abdo, both members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), take photos to demonstrate a photography technique Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa public affairs personnel shared techniques for taking still images, operating a DSLR camera and composing an image to help improve the FAD’s public affairs capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) discuss their camera settings and capabilities with Tech. Sgt. Daniel DeCook, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa photojournalism NCOIC, Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs Office worked with eight FAD members to improve their understanding of photo and video techniques and equipment to help improve the FAD’s ability to document and share the FAD’s mission with the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Sgt. Fatouma Gouled of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) takes a photo demonstrating photography techniques Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The weeklong FAD public affairs engagement provided participants with information and experience needed to improve their photography and videography abilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) look through settings on their cameras Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs Office worked with eight FAD members to improve their understanding of photo and video techniques and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
CJTF-HOA, Djibouti Armed Forces share photo, video experiences
Tech. Sgt. Daniel DeCook, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa photojournalism NCOIC, explains U.S. imagery storage techniques to members of the Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) Dec. 2, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Similar to U.S. military journalists, the Djiboutian photographers and videographers gather still and video imagery for mission documentation, media distribution and operational purposes. The engagement with the FAD enabled participants to share their knowledge and experiences with each other and build relationships between the two militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Photo by: Senior Airman Peter Thompson, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of the 2015 USO Entertainment Troupe pose for a photo during their trip to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. Actress Elizabeth Banks co-hosted the tour with actor David Wain, introducing numerous acts including comedian Sydney Castillo, singers Chris Daughtry, Brett James, Bill Montana, and Kyle Jacobs, and Boston Red Sox pitchers Heath Hembree and Steven Wright. (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
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, introduces the hosts of the 2015 USO Entertainment Troupe during their visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. Dunford joined the tour as the senior leader on its multi-day, three-continent trip to show service members their appreciation during the holiday season. (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
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shares a meal with service members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The chairman took time, while touring as senior leader for the 2015 USO entertainment troupe tour, to thank service members for their dedication and sacrifice during the holiday season. (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
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment (Seminole Battalion) during his visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The Chairman took time to thank the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for their contributions to enabling East African partners to fight violent extremist organizations in the region. (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
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to sailors from the Coastal Riverine Squadron 10 during his visit as part of the 2015 USO entertainment troupe tour at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 6, 2015. The Riverines’ primary mission is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors - both inland and on coastal waterways. (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
A Japan Self-Defense Force member showcases traditional calligraphy during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. During the evening Japan Self-Defense Force members shared their culture, traditions and food with their counterparts from the U.S. and Djibouti. (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
Senior enlisted members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. join in a traditional Eisa dance during the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Eisa is a traditional dance, unique to Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, which is performed during seasonal festivals to honor and thank their ancestors. (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
Participants from the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course view a traditional swordsmanship demonstration at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. The Japan Self-Defense Forces hosted the second gathering of senior enlisted members to share their culture and mission. (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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Master Sgt. Koji Urabe speaks about the Japanese mission in Djibouti to attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Military members from the U.S. and Djibouti learned about Japan’s role in reducing piracy in the Gulf of Aden. (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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Command Sgt. Maj. Ryuichi Ueda introduces the basics of Japanese culture to attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Military members from the U.S. and Djibouti learned about Japan’s location, climate, history, and unique cultural customs. (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
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Maj. Hisashi Nakajima introduces himself to other attendees of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japan base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. Members from Japan, Djibouti and the U.S. gathered to learn about Japanese history, culture and mission to help attendees better understand their multicultural allies. (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
Senior enlisted members pose with swordsmen and Okinawan Eisa dancers after demonstrations that were part of the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Professional Development Course at the Japanese base in Djibouti, Nov. 24, 2015. The second rendition of the course enabled Japan Self-Defense Force members to share their mission, culture and traditions with their U.S. and Djiboutian counterparts. (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
A soldier from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stands in formation before the start of a patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 28, 2015. The patching ceremony is a time-honored tradition with roots dating back to World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)