Djibouti celebrated its 39th year of Independence with a parade June 27, 2016.
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr. , Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of AfricaDjiboutiJun 27, 2016
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Members of Djibouti Armed Forces stand at attention before the start of the Djibouti Independence Day parade, June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Today marked the 39th year since Djibouti declared its independence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 2 of 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
A Djiboutian band member plays a clarinet during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Service members from all Djiboutian military branches participated in the parade along with law enforcement. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of the Djibouti Armed Forces shout cadences while marching during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Today marked the 39th year since Djibouti declared its independence. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh stands in front of Djibouti’s national flag during the playing of the country’s national anthem June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Today marked the 39th year since Djibouti declared its independence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 5 of 12
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Maj. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, speaks with Tom Kelly, U.S. Ambassador for Djibouti, during the Djiboutian Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. This year marks the 39th year that Djibouti separated from the French to become its on nation. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members from multiple branches of the Djibouti Armed Forces march in unison during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Service members from all Djiboutian military branches participated in the parade. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 7 of 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of the Djiboutian Armed Forces shout cadences while marching during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Today marked the 39th year since Djibouti declared its independence. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
A Djiboutian police officer displays acrobatic skills during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. The parade included marching units from each of Djibouti’s military branches and law enforcement, as well as armored vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 9 of 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Audience members clap and repeat cadences while watching the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Thousands of Djiboutian citizens came to the event to watch the demonstrations by the Djiboutian military and law enforcement. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Members of the Djiboutian Armed Forces march in sync during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27. 2016, at Djibouti. Service members from all Djiboutian military branches participated in the parade along with law enforcement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Photo by: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.
Photo 11 of 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
A Djiboutian band marches down the street during the Djibouti Independence Day parade June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. The band was the first of many participants in the parade. (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 12
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Image
Crowds fill bleachers to watch the Djibouti Independence Day parade, June 27, 2016, at Djibouti. Thousands of Djiboutian citizens came to the event to watch the demonstrations by the Djiboutian military and law enforcement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.