Gallery contains 15 images
×
Photo 1 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests applaud during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr
Photo 2 of 15
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 3 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa outgoing commander, gives his final remarks about his time as commander of CJTF-HOA during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer served for one year as the commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 4 of 15
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, departing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Stammer arrived at CJTF-HOA a year ago and will now be the deputy commander of the I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 5 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s senior leadership prepare to transfer command and responsibility of the unit from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer, CJTF-HOA outgoing commander, to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Passing of the flag during a change of command is a military tradition that symbolizes the passing of responsibility from the old commander to the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 6 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, passes the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa flag to Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The passing of the flag signified the change of command from Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to Sonntag, as the CJTF-HOA commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 7 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stand at attention as responsibilities of the unit are transferred to a new commander during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony also featured a transfer of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of CTJF-HOA command senior enlisted leader from U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler Kendrick Jr. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 8 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks at a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag is now in command of CJTF-HOA and responsible for its impact on the East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 9 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa salute while the U.S. and Djiboutian national anthems play during the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA from previous commander Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 10 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. military members stand in a color guard formation during a change of command ceremony for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The ceremony officially transferred command of the task force from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 11 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. J. Travis Moger, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa director of religious affairs, gives an invocation at the beginning of the CJTF-HOA change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag assumed command of CJTF-HOA after serving as commanding general for the Special Operations Command South at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 12 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen stand in formation during the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The formation represented the joint services that U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, CJTF-HOA commander, will be responsible for after assuming command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 13 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
(From the left) U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, U.S. Africa Command commanding general, Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, new Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, and Maj. General Mark Stammer, departing CJTF-HOA commanding general, cut a cake during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 14 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, incoming Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, salutes during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Sonntag saluted the CJTF-HOA formation for the first time as the commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Photo 15 of 15
CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, meets partner-nation service members during a change of command ceremony post-reception April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Service members, diplomats and multi-national guests attended the ceremony and met the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa welcomed U.S. Army Brig. Gen Kurt L. Sonntag and said farewell to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer during a change of command ceremony April 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commanding general for U.S. Africa Command, presided over the ceremony.
Sonntag, a California native, assumed command of CJTF-HOA after serving as commanding general for the Special Operations Command South at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. He is now responsible for overseeing CJTF-HOA’s efforts in countering violent extremism in East Africa, fostering regional security cooperation, and building and maintaining U.S. strategic access in the region.
“Brig. Gen. Kurt Sonntag and Command Master Chief Geoffrey Steffee come to us from Special Operations Command South, another theater heavily focused on building partner capacity and working by, with and through their armed forces to achieve success,” Rodriquez said. “I look forward to seeing how you will bring this experience to bear in this new challenge. I know all of the U.S. partner teams and HOA welcome you to this dynamic command and wish you well.”
Before presenting his first salute as commander, Sonntag addressed the men and women of CJTF-HOA.
“CJTF-HOA, I am honored to enter your ranks and humbled to accept command of this great team and the wide range of vital missions it oversees,” Sonntag said
The change of command also featured a change of responsibility during which U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Geoffrey P. Steffee assumed the role of the CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader.
Steffee succeeded U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Butler J. Kendrick Jr., and is now responsible for leading, mentoring, enforcing standards of good order and discipline, and advising and assisting the CJTF-HOA commander on all matters pertaining to the health, morale, welfare and professional development for approximately 2,000 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines joint service personnel.
Prior to being selected for this assignment, the Texas native served as the senior enlisted leader at Special Operations Command South, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.
Before departing Stammer shared his final thoughts of having led the men and women of CJTF-HOA.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time at CJTF-HOA, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and greater Eastern Africa,” Stammer said. “America’s forces carry a nation’s task on their shoulders. They interact with the people, practice diplomacy, dream of a better life; all the while they are prepared to apply just the right amount of force precisely, decisively, and absolutely. None do it better than the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen of CJTF-HOA side by side with our vast array of partners. I would like to express my most sincere appreciation to you all for your tireless efforts and the immeasurable sacrifices that you make in support of peace and security as we move forward, together.”
