U.S. Army Master Sgt. James Cummings, a 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion Soldier assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), assists African coalition partners during a navigation class in Kampala, Uganda, May 20, 2019. Personnel from the civil affairs battalion, travelled to Uganda to take part in a subject matter expert exchange with coalition forces as part of a Uganda Wildlife Authority counter-illicit trafficking course. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Army Sgt. Allen Ruffles, a 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion soldier assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks to African coalition partners during a navigation class in Kampala, Uganda, May 20, 2019. Personnel from the civil affairs battalion travelled to Uganda to take part in a subject matter expert exchange with coalition forces as part of a Uganda Wildlife Authority counter-illicit trafficking course. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), answers questions from U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for the Maryland Army National Guard, during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 20, 2019. The visit provided leadership an opportunity to discuss changes to pre-mobilization training requirements and future information operations detachments’ manning needs in Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for the Maryland Army National Guard, about CJTF-HOA’s combined joint operations area during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 20, 2019. The visit provided leadership an opportunity to discuss changes to pre-mobilization training requirements and future information operations detachments’ manning needs in Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for the Maryland Army National Guard, during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 20, 2019. For more than seven years, the U.S. Army National Guard has been providing information operations detachments on nine-month rotations to CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for the Maryland Army National Guard, watches the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) mission video during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 20, 2019. The visit facilitated key leader engagements and provided members an overview of the current and future CJTF-HOA information operations mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, assistant adjutant general for the Maryland Army National Guard, during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 20, 2019. The visit facilitated key leader engagements and provided members an overview of the current and future CJTF-HOA information operations mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, center, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), poses with U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA, after a combat patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 10, 2019. U.S. Army combat patches signify a Soldier’s service in a combat zone. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, left, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), addresses U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA after a combat patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 10, 2019. Army combat patches signify a Soldier’s service in a combat zone and represent service in a member’s current, or prior, unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, right, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents U.S. Army Master Sgt. Eduardo Palomares a combat patch during a patching ceremony for U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 10, 2019. Army combat patches signify a Soldier’s service in a combat zone and represent service in a member’s current, or prior, unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, right, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Steven Phan a combat patch during a patching ceremony for U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to CJTF-HOA, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 10, 2019. U.S. Army combat patches signify a Soldier’s service in a combat zone and represent service in a member’s current, or prior, unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), stand at attention before a combat patching ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 10, 2019. U.S. Army combat patches signify a Soldier’s service in a combat zone. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James D. Craig, left, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), shakes hands with Royal Australian air force Air Vice-Marshal Vincent Iervasi as he arrives at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 7, 2019. Iervasi visited CJTF-HOA to discuss the continued partnership in Africa between Australia and the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

Royal Australian air force Air Vice-Marshal Vincent Iervasi, right, arrives at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to meet with CJTF-HOA leadership at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 7, 2019. Iervasi visited CJTF-HOA to discuss the continued partnership in Africa between Australia and the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

Comoros army Lt. Ali Abdoul-Kader, a foreign liaison officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs multinational military partners about his country during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

Comoros army Lt. Ali Abdoul-Kader, a foreign liaison officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs multinational military partners about his country during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks to multinational military partners during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas Wall, chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), bids farewell to multinational military partners during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, left, (D-OR) speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry André, right, during a briefing at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, left, (D-OR) speaks with U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), during a briefing at CJTF-HOA, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, left, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), center, and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry André, right, pose for a photo at CJTF-HOA before a briefing at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) meets with service members from Oregon deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kirsten Brandes)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) poses for a photo with service members from Oregon deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kirsten Brandes)

CJTF-HOA Chief of Staff Biography

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, poses for a photo with U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, speaks to U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, meets with U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, speaks to U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, claps after a demonstration by soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, thanks soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, after demonstrating hand-to-hand combat during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

A U.S. Army Soldier with Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, helps a soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, prepare for a visit from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser and Zakaria visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks to soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, after a tactical demonstration during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, left center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, addresses U.S. Army Soldiers fromHeadquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, who train Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) soldiers during his visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, left center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, comments on a brief about partner training delivered bythe officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, watches a demonstration by soldiers assigned to the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, watches a demonstration by a soldier assigned to the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, listens to a brief about partner training delivered by the officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, right, commander of U.S. Africa Command, returns the salute of the officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, right, commander of U.S. Africa Command, shakes hands with Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

A U.S. Army Soldier with Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, helps a soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, prepare for a visit from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser and Zakaria visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)