Stories from October 2015 results: 15

Ambassador Issimail Chanfi, Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) director, receives a rungu stick from Brig. Gen. William West, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa deputy commander, Oct. 27, 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. In the East African Maasai culture, the rungu is an important emblem of warrior status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

African standby force, U.S. forge new partnership

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October 31, 2015 Delegates from the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) visited Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, recently to learn best practices from directorates within Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and build relationships between the two organizations. The EASF and CJTF-HOA plan to work together to coordinate timely disaster relief, security and peacetime operations.

Disaster Relief Djibouti Camp Lemonnier Partnership CJTF-HOA regional security Security Security Africa Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Horn of Africa HOA CJTF

U.S. Navy Capt. David Blazes, Military Tropical Medicine Course program director, shows a photo of Ebola response training to medical professionals from U.S., French and Djiboutian armed forces. The course enabled militaries around the Horn of Africa to share diagnostic and treatment practices for deadly and common diseases on the continent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

Partner nations exchange regional disease knowledge

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October 29, 2015 Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa hosted the first Military Tropical Medicine Course at Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti. Medical professionals from the U.S., French and Djiboutian militaries discussed a multitude of topics to include the presence of Malaria, Ebola, and pest induced infections on the continent.

Djibouti medical Ebola Africa Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa French military Horn of Africa

Retired Ambassador David Kaeuper, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Somalia stands before the Somali flag during his tour of the Fusion Action Cell hive at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 15, 2015. The Ambassador toured Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s facilities and met with members to learn about the CJTF-HOA mission and its capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

First Head of U.S. Mission to Somalia in 20 years visits CJTF-HOA

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October 26, 2015 Ambassador David Kaeuper, who previously served and retired as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, is now the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Somalia. He met recently with Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, to understand CJTF-HOA’s mission and role in supporting security and stability in East Africa.

U.S. Navy Capt. Claire Bedford, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa director of personnel (left), and Air Force Lt. Col. Lynn Plunckett, CJTF-HOA Knowledge Management Operations director (right), celebrate as they cross the finish line Oct. 21, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. More than 800 runners and walkers participated in a Valor Run hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier, dedicated to fallen service women.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)

CJTF-HOA Valor Run honors fallen female veterans

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October 25, 2015 More than 800 runners and walkers participated in a Valor Run dedicated to fallen service women that was hosted by Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier.

Camp Lemonnier CJTF-HOA Africa Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Obock Regional Hospital employees practice hand washing during a Community Health Worker course in Obock, Djibouti, Oct. 17, 2015. The U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development and Djibouti’s Ministry of Health to share practices with hospital employees on preventative medicine, first aid, oral hygiene care, and the health hazards of female genital mutilation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

CA soldiers, USAID host Community Health Worker course

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October 23, 2015 U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, partnered with USAID to share their medical knowledge during a Community Health Worker course in Obock, Djibouti.

U.S. Army Pfc. Stephan Whelan, mortar gunner, left, and Spc. Steven Doherty, both assigned to Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, operate a M224 60mm mortar launcher during a training scenario Oct. 12, 2015, in Arta, Djibouti. ACO operates using light infantry and various other force enablers to accomplish their mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)

EARF team weapons and mortar training

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October 23, 2015 Alpha Company, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, is the East Africa Response Force, the quick response force for all of the countries within the HOA. ACO operates using light infantry and various other force enablers, which operate together cohesively to accomplish their mission. ACO underwent weapons and mortar training in Arta, Djibouti.

U.S. Army Col. Jim Patterson, CAPSTONE deputy director, receives a rungu stick from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commander, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 14, 2015. In the East African Maasai culture, the rungu is an important emblem of warrior status. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed)

Capstone 2016-1 visits Camp Lemonnier

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October 20, 2015 Capstone ensures newly selected general and flag officers understand the fundamentals of joint doctrine, how to integrate the elements of national power in order to accomplish national security and national military strategies, and how joint, interagency, and multinational operations support national strategic goals and objectives.

Peter Kaestner, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa political advisor, describes Grallaria Kaestneri during a presentation Oct. 9, 2015, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. While living in Colombia, Kaestner heard a birdcall that was unknown. He tracked and located the bird, which was an undiscovered species. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson/Released)

“It’s a bird. Literally”

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October 20, 2015 Peter Kaestner has dedicated much of his life to serving the United States as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. His duties have taken him all over the world, giving him the opportunity to pursue his other passion - bird watching.

Joseph Brunette, iRobot instructor, leads a class on the 510 Packbot to Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD) service members Oct. 12, 2015 in Djibouti. The robot can perform bomb disposal, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman)

Robot becomes “eyes” and “hands” of service members

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October 19, 2015 Djibouti Armed Forces and U.S. Navy EOD technicians worked together recently during a course to learn how to use the iRobot 510 Packbot.

151009-N-DJ346-015 CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (October 9, 2015) Major General Mark R. Stammer, Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, met with Lt. Gen. Hiromichi Kawamata, Commanding General, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Central Readiness Force, to discuss future objectives and information sharing opportunities. General Stammer told General Kawamata that the Japanese Defense Forces are and remain valued friends and partners of CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Donald W. Randall/Released)

Japanese Defense Force General visits CJTF-HOA

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October 13, 2015 Major General Mark R. Stammer, Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, met with Lt. Gen. Hiromichi Kawamata, Commanding General, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, Central Readiness Force recently.

Senior enlisted leaders (SEL) composed of U.S., Japanese and Italian service members, attend the Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Leader Professional Development (JFSELPD) course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct.1, 2015. The JFSELPD is an all-services course aimed at mentoring and educating the highest-ranking SELs serving Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Maysonet)

Joint forces senior enlisted leaders attend professional development course

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October 12, 2015 The Joint Forces Senior Enlisted Leader Professional Development (JFSELPD) course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, is an all-services course aimed at mentoring and educating the highest-ranking senior enlisted leaders serving Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Camp Lemonnier.

Senior Enlisted Leader Camp Lemonnier East Africa Africa Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

A U.S. Marine swims underneath a ladder during the French Desert Survival Course’s water obstacle course, near Arta Beach, Djibouti, Sept. 30, 2015. In addition to learning survival tactics, two U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion soldiers, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, French Army soldiers from the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment, and members of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, teamed up to complete a series obstacles during the 14-day course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

French soldiers teach U.S. military desert survival tactics

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October 8, 2015 U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion soldiers, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, French Army soldiers from the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment, and members of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently graduated from the French Desert Survival Course near Arta Beach, Djibouti.

A UPDF soldier briefs students from a local school on medical procedures during MEDRETE 15-4 on September 21, 2015 in Jinja, Uganda. This exercise focused on exchange of best practices strengthening U.S. strategic partnerships with UPDF to enhance readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Charlene M. Spade)

U.S. Medical Forces Gain New Perspectives from Ugandan Counterparts

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October 7, 2015 The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces host members from United States Army Africa Command and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa for MEDRETE 15-4, a joint medical readiness training exercise in Jinja, Uganda.

U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, U.S. Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu and Col. Bibonimana, Burundi National Defense Forces right, receive an Operations and Intelligence update from the BNDF staff offensive during a visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia Sector 5 Headquarters located in northern Mogadishu. The MCC’s mission is to increase defense capability, capacity, and coordination among its East African partner in their pursuit to neutralize violent extremist organizations. (BNDF Courtesy Photo)

Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu meets with BNDF

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October 3, 2015 The Burundi National Defense Force is a member of the African Union Mission in Somalia. U.S. Army Col. Wilson Rutherford, Military Coordination Cell Mogadishu, met with BNDF representatives in Mogadishu prior to a Burundi offensive. The MCC’s mission is to increase defense capability, capacity, and coordination among its East African partner in their pursuit to neutralize violent extremist organizations. (Courtesy photos)

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians conduct a routine anti-terrorism force protection dive off the coast of Djibouti, Africa, Sept. 22, 2015. Assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, EOD technicians are trained to disarm explosive devices and clear underwater obstructions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nesha Humes)

EOD technicians perform anti-terrorism force protection dives

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October 2, 2015 U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, operate off the coast of Djibouti, Africa, during routine anti-terrorism force protection dives. EOD technicians are trained to disarm explosive devices and clear underwater obstructions.