U.S. Army soldiers from the East African Response Force (EARF) assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) prepare to board a C-130J Super Hercules Jan. 21, 2021, in Somalia. The EARF exercise demonstrates the ability to respond across a wide range of military operations, including crisis response, protection of U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities, disaster relief, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and other missions as directed by U.S. Africa Command as well as a continued commitment to U.S. partners in Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz)

A U.S. Army Soldier from the East African Response Force (EARF) assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) exit a C-130J Super Hercules Jan. 20, 2021, in Somalia. The EARF exercise demonstrates the ability to respond across a wide range of military operations, including crisis response, protection of U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities, disaster relief, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and other missions as directed by U.S. Africa Command as well as a continued commitment to U.S. partners in Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the East African Response Force (EARF) assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) walk off a C-130J Super Hercules Jan. 20, 2021, in Somalia. The EARF exercise demonstrates the ability to respond across a wide range of military operations, including crisis response, protection of U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities, disaster relief, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and other missions as directed by U.S. Africa Command as well as a continued commitment to U.S. partners in Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz)

A U.S. Army soldier from the East African Response Force (EARF) assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) creates a range card from a lookout point Jan. 21, 2021, in Somalia. The EARF exercise demonstrates the ability to respond across a wide range of military operations, including crisis response, protection of U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities, disaster relief, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and other missions as directed by U.S. Africa Command as well as a continued commitment to U.S. partners in Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the East African Response Force (EARF) assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) exit a C-130J Super Hercules Jan. 20, 2021, in Somalia. The EARF exercise demonstrates the ability to respond across a wide range of military operations, including crisis response, protection of U.S. personnel and diplomatic facilities, disaster relief, personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance, and other missions as directed by U.S. Africa Command as well as a continued commitment to U.S. partners in Somalia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Charles T. Fultz)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and members of the CJTF-HOA staff virtually attend the 2021 African Chiefs of Defense Conference hosted by U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, Jan. 27, 2021. The purpose of the conference was to discuss key security challenges and opportunities and to work together to improve security, stability, and prosperity in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Rolf Olson, Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD), CJTF-HOA, U.S Army Maj. Raffi Mnatzakanian, campaign planner, Uganda Army Lt. Col. Alex Namara, foreign liaison officer (FLO) and Kenyan Air Force Lt. Col. Irene Machangoh, FLO, virtually attend the 2021 African Chiefs of Defense Conference hosted by U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, Jan. 27, 2021. The purpose of the conference was to discuss key security challenges and opportunities and to work together to improve security, stability, and prosperity in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and members of the CJTF-HOA staff virtually attend the 2021 African Chiefs of Defense Conference hosted by U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, Jan. 27, 2021. The purpose of the conference was to discuss key security challenges and opportunities and to work together to improve security, stability, and prosperity in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

Commanding General

Command Senior Enlisted Leader

Foreign Policy Advisor

Leaders from the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), tour the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. Just like the senior leaders, the USS HWW also works alongside mission partners in support of maritime operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), receives a plaque from the leadership team on the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. Flora along with other senior leaders learned about the history of the USS HWW as well as the service member it was named after. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Ms. Andrea Tomaszewicz, acting ambassador, U.S. embassy in Djibouti, and U.S. Navy Capt. Kyle Schuman, commanding officer, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), learn about the history of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. The senior leaders learned about the history of the USS HWW as well as the service member it was named after. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

Leaders from the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), tour the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. The USS HWW conducts U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) missions and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Jeremy Byrd, senior enlisted leader, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, talks with U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Alex Hebert, command senior enlisted leader, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. The USS HWW recently began its first deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Navy Capt. Kyle Schuman, commanding officer, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CJDJ), talks with Ms. Andrea Tomaszewicz, acting ambassador, U.S embassy in Djibouti, during a tour of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams”, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. Senior leaders from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), and the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, were given the opportunity to learn about capabilities and day-to-day operations during the tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Navy Capt. David Gray, commanding officer, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (USS HWW), begins the tour of the ship, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. Senior leaders from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), and the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, were given the opportunity to learn about capabilities and day-to-day operations during the tour. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (USS HWW) conducts a port visit, Jan. 22, 2021, at Port de Djibouti, Djibouti. The USS HWW supports maritime missions in the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meets with Djiboutian Gen. Taher Ali Mohamed, Djiboutian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, at CJTF-HOA headquarters, Jan. 25, 2021. The meeting allowed conversations to talk through discussion points for the upcoming U.S. Africa Command hosted African Chief of Defense conference. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meets with Djiboutian Gen. Taher Ali Mohamed, Djiboutian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, at CJTF-HOA headquarters, Jan. 25, 2021. The meeting allowed conversations to talk through discussion points for the upcoming U.S. Africa Command hosted African Chief of Defense conference. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), takes a photo with Djiboutian Gen. Taher Ali Mohamed, Djiboutian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, at CJTF-HOA headquarters, Jan. 25, 2021. The meeting allowed conversations to talk through discussion points for the upcoming U.S. Africa Command hosted African Chief of Defense conference. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), speaks to a group of service members during an award ceremony, at an airfield in East Africa, Jan 15, 2021. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), meets with U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Bohner, commander, 449th Air Expeditionary Group, at an airfield in East Africa, Jan. 15, 2021. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commanding general, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, AFRICOM, recognizes top performers at an award ceremony, Jan. 15, 2021, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commanding general, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, AFRICOM, recognizes top performers at an award ceremony, Jan. 15, 2021, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), greets by a Military Working Dog during an award ceremony at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti, Jan. 15, 2021. Thresher traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), speaks to a group of service members during an award ceremony, at an airfield in East Africa, Jan 15, 2021. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, Africa Command (AFRICOM), congratulates a service member during an award ceremony at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti, Jan. 15, 2021. Thresher was part of a five-day visit to East Africa with U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. During the trip, Thresher recognized U.S. forces and spoke with partner military leadership about training possibilities. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), meets with Lt. Col. Nicholas Wabeke, commander, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, at an airfield in East Africa, Jan. 15, 2021. Townsend traveled to East Africa to review future posturing of U.S. forces with key leaders in support of Operation Octave Quartz, in preparation for the next phase of operations in East Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandon Julson)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. LeighAnn D’Andrea, base civil engineer, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darius Etheridge, operations management, 776th EABS, evaluate various civil engineering projects, Jan. 8, 2021, at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti. The civil engineer element’s mission is to assess the base operating support contract that keeps the base running for the 12th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron (ESOS). (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darius Etheridge, operations management, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. LeighAnn D’Andrea, base civil engineer, 776th EABS, pose for a photo, Jan. 8, 2021, at Chabelley Airfeild, Djibouti. Despite the challenges being geographically separated from their supporting organizations have brought them, they have managed to get the mission done. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darius Etheridge, operations management, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. LeighAnn D’Andrea, base civil engineer, 776th EABS, pose for a photo, Jan. 8, 2021, at Chabelley Airfeild, Djibouti. D’Andrea and Etheridge have learned the importance of accountability and to take pride in even the smallest things because everything has an impact on the overall mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darius Etheridge, operations management, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), talks with U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. LeighAnn D’Andrea, base civil engineer, 776th EABS, Jan. 8, 2021, at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti. Etheridge says his successes stem from D’Andrea’s leadership style. She empowered and encouraged him by trusting him to make the right decisions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), takes a photo with Djiboutian Army Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of defense of Djiboutian Armed Forces, Jan. 13, 2021, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The meeting allowed conversations on Djibouti’s strategic role in contributing towards regional stability and addressing security concerns in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meets with Djiboutian Army Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of defense of Djiboutian Armed Forces, Jan. 13, 2021, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The senior leaders talked about continued and increased coordination between the CJTF-HOA and Djibouti Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meets with Djiboutian Army Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of defense of Djiboutian Armed Forces, Jan. 13, 2021, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The meeting provided an opportunity to intensify CJTF-HOA’s collaboration with the Djiboutian military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) meets with Djiboutian Army Gen. Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim, chief of defense of Djiboutian Armed Forces, Jan. 13, 2021, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The senior leaders addressed topics of mutual concern and used this opportunity to rekindle the close collaboration that has been affected by COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin Savage)

French Général de Corps d'Armee Patrick Destremau, Director of the Institute of Higher National Defense Studies (IHEDN) and Higher Military Education (EMS), along with members of his staff, distinguished guests and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa leadership pose for a group photograph during a visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 11, 2021. The members of this IHEDN include senior civilian and military leaders, French and partner-nations alike, who will acquire a better understanding of international relations and defense issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Cable)