On the first of October, CJTF-HOA transitioned from US Central Command to the newest combatant command in the Department of Defense, US Africa Command. As our new commander, General Kip Ward said when he visited us in Djibouti in late September, as Africa Command will "increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our military programs on this continent."
Africa Command consolidates US military operations under one unified command where, in the past, Africa had been split betwee
The holiday spirit is alive in Africa! The trees are up and decorated with everything from traditional ornaments to college football trinkets. Holiday music is playing and brightly-colored lights shine from the Containerized Living Units where many of our people live. Though it's not the same as sharing the holidays with our families, we know that here in Africa we are sharing this special time with our shipmates and partners from African nations and from around the world. We are s
Service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) delivered school supplies to children at a refugee camp in Djibouti on December 6, 2008. The eleven boxes of school supplies were donated by American school children and their families.
"Every chaplain here receives donations from back home. We have a storage closet where all the donations are stored and later distributed," said Captain Owen Vazquez, a Second Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment chap
During a visit to Mauritius, November 11-12, 2008, Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., commander of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), met with representatives of the Mauritius Ports Authority to promote a commercial shipboard broadcast transponder for enhanced maritime security.
The Automatic Information System (AIS) operates in Very High Frequency (VHF) maritime band, allowing for the automatic exchange of shipboard information between one vessel and another and b
During a visit to Mauritius in November 11-12, 2008, Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) met with representatives of the Mauritius Ports Authority to promote a commercial shipboard broadcast transponder for enhanced maritime security.
The Automatic Information System (AIS) operates in Very High Frequency (VHF) maritime band, allowing for the automatic exchange of shipboard information between one vessel and another
To many, Kenya invokes thoughts of a rich culture, friendly people, and the wonders of a safari. Few people realize that Kenya is also home to a center whose mission is to train people worldwide in the process of safe de-mining in affected countries.
The International Mine Action Training Center (IMATC), which opened in the outskirts on Nairobi in February, 2005, is a partnership between the British and Kenyan armed forces and includes personnel from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn
Thanksgiving Day at Camp Lemonnier offered personnel a feast, football and a visit from their leadership.
Members of flag football teams began an annual tradition in the first ever Thanksgiving Day Djibouti Bowl, November 28, 2008.
The Marines, Air Force, Army and Navy organized teams consisting of members from their respective services and competed in games throughout the day to determine the Djibouti Bowl champions.
Rear Admiral Philip Greene, Combined Joint Task Force -
Service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa began executing a series of Medical Civil Action Programs (MEDCAPs) in Djibouti on November 16, 2008. The program will continue on designated Saturdays and Sundays until mid-January, 2009 in rural villages in the Ali Sabieh and Dikil districts of Djibouti.
"Each village is different and each set up is different so the medical needs are different," explained Dr. (Colonel) Lorrie Oldham, senior MEDCAP physician.
The Eastern Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) kicked off a week-long command post exercise on November 24, 2008, a crucial step toward forming a regional force that can quickly deploy to take on security, humanitarian and other crises.
EASBRIG brought together 13 Eastern African nations under the umbrella of the African Union. It is one of five regional forces being formed by the AU as part of the African Standby Force.
"The CPX is the first step toward moving forward on a co
Service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) joined the United States ambassador to Kenya to dedicate a kindergarten school in Dadaab, Kenya on November 19, 2008.
Ambassador Michael E. Rannenberger visited the eastern coastal village to meet with students, school administrators and village leaders. During the dedication ceremony, Rannenberger addressed the local media and community.
"Today we are inaugurating a new primary school that has been rehabi
During its first visit to Kenya, the U.S. Air Forces' Central Command Expeditionary Band, "Dune" entertained Americans and Kenyans in the greater Nairobi area, November 12-21, 2008.
Dune, along with the U.S. Air Forces Expeditionary Band (AFCENT) performed for Kenyan citizens at civic and educational institutions throughout the region. The band also performed for approximately 300 guests, including American and Kenyan government officials and ambassadors, at the U.S. ambass
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) civil affairs team joined the U.S. Mission to donate several books to Mawaal and Al Noor African Muslim Society, Madrasa in Tanga region, Tanzania in early November, 2008.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy, the book donation was made on behalf of the American people through a U.S. non-governmental organization, Brother's Brother and U.S. publisher Houghton Mifflin. The books came from a larger consignment of nearly
Gladiators from the television show American Gladiator helped U.S. military members and Department of Defense (DoD) contractors honor past and present service members during a Veterans Day event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti on November 11, 2008.
"This has been the warmest welcome from anywhere that we have ever been," said Monica Carlson, an American Gladiator known as 'Jet'. "I know that we volunteered to come here, but I think that we're the ones who get the reward from be
The Djiboutian Institute of Arts and service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa teamed up to host an art exhibition on October 20, 2008.
The local art institute shared their culture with American forces through paintings and music.
Hansna Maki, director of Djiboutian Institute of Arts, explained, "As instructors, it's our job to promote our artists and help them to interact with the outside world. Camp Lemonnier is like a city w
Members of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) joined officials from American and Ethiopian governments, school administrators, and local citizens to celebrate the dedication of the refurbished Abadir Primary School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on October 16, 2008.
The eight month project was the result of a partnership between Naval Marine Construction Battalion 4, CJTF-HOA, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Embassy. The team upgraded faci
Members of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) joined Ugandan Ministry of Health personnel, municipality leaders and residents of the village of Kitgum to celebrate the dedication of a new pediatric clinic and a public library on September 23, 2008.
A ceremony marked the completion of a cooperative effort to bring a pediatric ward to the people of Kitgum. Local elders spoke of the many benefits the new clinic will provide by increasing the medical capacity in the region
Kenyan government officials along with the United States Geological Survey and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) personnel came together for an eight-day water workshop conference to discuss ways to better understand ground water exploration through data analysis.
The workshop focused on rainfall and runoff and the use of geophysics instrumentation to assist in locating fresh drinkable water for the population. Conference participants viewed Kenya, with a population
More than 200 soldiers with Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) graduated from a 16-week Counterterrorism Course in Folkasenyi, Uganda on May 16, 2008.
The Ugandan Counterterrorism Course was taught by service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and was designed to teach military necessity, distinction, and proportionality.
Brigadier General Roosevelt "Rose" Barfield, deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and Brigadier
As General William "Kip" Ward prepares to fully stand up U.S. Africa Command, he told a crowd of about 1,000 members of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa that U.S. AFRICOM was a way for the Department of Defense to focus its efforts in Africa.
"We were looking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our military programs on this continent," Ward said. "As we deliver our military-to-military programs, we'll be able to do it in a way that hopefu
More than 180 soldiers in the Ugandan People's Defence Force attended a counterterrorism course in Folkasenyi, Uganda May, 2008, where they learned basic laws of armed conflict.
The Ugandan Counterterrorism Course, Cycle 04-08, taught by Air Force Major David Bosco, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, was part of a 16-week counterterrorism program and was designed to teach military necessity, distinction and proportionality.
"There are two components to the laws
Residents of Kelami, Ethiopia gathered with U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) June 5, 2008 to dedicate the newly-constructed Kelami Primary School facilities. Civil engineers from CJTF-HOA partnered with community elders, staff from the Regional Minister of Education, Guryo-Samo General Contractors, and school staff to complete the school.
The project began in 2006 when the people of Kelami asked civil engineers to survey the previo
Approximately 120 service members from the United States and France participated in desert survival training in early May, 2008 in the desert and mountains of Djibouti. The French have maintained a military presence in Djibouti for the last 150 years and have often use the unforgiving and rugged terrain to help train their troops for various engagements around the world. For the past two years, Americans deployed to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa have been afforded the opportun
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conducted Veterinary Civil Action Projects in several villages surrounding the city of Dire Dawa May 1 to May 17, 2008. During their visit, the team saw more than 17,000 animals, inoculated them for several diseases, and treated internal and external parasites.
Lieutenant Colonel Bethany Lenderman, a civil affairs officer with CJTF-HOA, says in an area that is so dependent on livestock, the health of
U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa worked in partnership with residents of the Tanga region of Tanzania to repair wells, making clean water more accessible to more than 6,000 community members.
Team members installed manual pumps in water wells in the towns of Ubembe, Kibanda, and Bwembwera to make water retrieval easier and more efficient. Additionally, the new pumps now protect the wells from contamination and reduce the amount of well-related injur
Soldiers and Sailors deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa helped municipality leaders here begin a new garbage disposal program July 11.
A ceremony marked a citywide campaign to clean-up Garissa with the help of donated garbage cans and dumpsters, which Mayor Yousef Mohammed Kuno said will make his city the cleanest in Kenya. Also in attendance were several community leaders and local television, radio and print media.
Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Counterm
U.S. Soldiers raced to the aid of several injured Djiboutians following a vehicle rollover accident here June 24th.
Members of Charlie and Bravo Combat Search and Rescue platoons, 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment, were in a five-vehicle convoy returning from a day of weapons training at a firing range. Not long after their convoy reached the highway, the Soldiers witnessed a dump truck veer off the paved road and then overturn.
There were roughly 60 Soldiers at the s
U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and USS Halsey reviewed visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) tactics with Seychelles Coast Guard personnel at Seychelles Coast Guard headquarters on August 14, 2008.
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Stuart Cravens, CJTF-HOA, said the Seychelles Coast Guard already has some experience with these procedures.
"The Seychelles Coast Guard does an excellent job of patrolling the Seychelles waters," said Crave
U.S. service members and health officials from the U.S. Embassy, together with Tanzanian government officials, dedicated a labor ward and a renovated postnatal building at the Njombe District hospital August 25, 2008. The hospital additions, including a new neonatal room for babies born with complications and a labor ward, were provided jointly by the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Family Health International (FHI), and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Service members with the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) joined Kenyan Ministry of Defense personnel, municipality leaders, and residents of the villages of Shabah and Delolo to celebrate the dedication of two new wells on July 23 and 24, 2008.
This district-wide campaign aimed to bring clean drinking water to the people of Garissa and provide an alternative to retrieving water from Tana River, six miles away. During the well-dedication ceremony, residents spoke o
U.S. and Tanzanian veterinarians have been working together to provide animal treatment services in Tanga, Tanzania as part of a veterinary civic action project (VETCAP), July 14-August 9, 2008. Coordinated by the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, VETCAP offers Tanzanian veterinarians the opportunity to learn from their U.S. counterparts and to improve the health of livestock in the region.
