2:52 PM4/1/2025

Leadership from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Transfer Authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communicator 2nd Class Maurice Brown)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Jeff Pullinger, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 commander, gives outgoing remarks during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. VMM-266 conducted six multinational training events alongside local partner nation forces, strengthening partnerships vital to regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Allen Whitlow, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 commander, gives remarks during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marines sing the Marines Hymn during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Jeff Pullinger, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 commander, gives outgoing remarks during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. VMM-266 conducted six multinational training events alongside local partner nation forces, strengthening partnerships vital to regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

Leadership from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa stand for the National Anthem during a Transfer of Authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, gives opening remarks during a Transfer of Authority ceremony for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col Allen Whitlow, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 commander, gives remarks during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted R. Braxton Jr., Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, stands with incoming and outgoing leadership from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 during a Transfer of Authority at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek).

2:45 PM4/1/2025

U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 leadership pose with coins presented by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa leadership during a Transfer of Authority for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 and 161 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Apr. 1, 2025. VMM-266 conducted six multinational training events alongside local partner nation forces, strengthening partnerships vital to regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)

2:45 PM4/1/2025

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) officially assumed its role as the Aviation Combat Element in the Horn of Africa from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (VMM-266) during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, April 1, 2025.

12:06 PM3/28/2025

Humans of HoA

12:04 PM3/28/2025

12:04 PM3/28/2025

12:04 PM3/28/2025

12:04 PM3/28/2025

U.S. service members finish a hand-to-hand combat portion during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

10:33 AM3/28/2025

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025. The ruck is a test of strength and endurance as they completed 18.6 miles in under four and a half hours with 25-pound rucksacks. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:46 PM3/27/2025

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025.

1:40 PM3/27/2025

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025. The ruck is a test of strength and endurance as they completed 18.6 miles in under four and a half hours with 25-pound rucksacks. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:40 PM3/27/2025

U.S. service members participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025. First held in 1915, the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Forsvaret, meaning “the defense” in the Norwegian language, worked to expose new members to field conditions. Over the next century, the event evolved adding a foreign service badge earned for completing the foot march to the standard. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)