U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa executed maneuver and blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa.
By Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of AfricaDjiboutiSep 16, 2021
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U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa walk among French tanks and lightweight tactical vehicles as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
A French Soldier assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) prepares a lightweight tactical vehicle before departing in a joint convoy into the desert to execute blackout operations with U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) drive a tank past U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa while preparing to embark into the desert to execute blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
A French Soldier assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) emerges from a tank while working alongside U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti
A French tank assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) is equipped with desert camoflauge while being used alongside U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM) drive lightweight tactical vehicles and a tank past U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa while preparing to embark into the desert to execute blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. and French service members fill the back of light medium tactical vehicle assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa as they embark into the desert at dawn to execute blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa prepare to execute blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa bound forward in silence and darkness while performing a desert night raid during blackout operations as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa secure and search opposition forces while performing a desert night raid as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
U.S. service members attempt French Desert Commando Course in Africa
U.S. service members with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa lay apprehended opposition forces face-down while performing a desert night raid as part of the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, Sept. 13, 2021. During FDCC, U.S. forces serve under a French battalion commander and are evaluated on mountain confidence, knot tying, night obstacle courses, aquatic obstacle courses and battle maneuver tactics. The U.S. and French regularly exchange expertise, ideas and tactics to become a more integrated combined force with the ability to respond to crises or threats in East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)
Archbishop Broglio visits Djibouti to strengthen faith and partnerships
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visited Djibouti for a multi-day engagement with religious leaders and U.S. service members.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and AFRICOM senior leaders, conducted a series of high-level visits to Africa with stops in Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland, Nov. 23-27, 2025. The visits were part of an East Africa trip aimed to strengthen America’s strategic approach to confronting terrorism through mutual engagement, stronger cooperation, and aligned security priorities.
CJTF- HOA welcomes new command senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, presided over the CJTF- HOA change of responsibility from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton, outgoing CJTF- HOA command senior enlisted leader, to U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mike Brown, incoming CJTF-HOA CSEL, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11.
Archbishop Broglio visits Djibouti to strengthen faith and partnerships
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visited Djibouti for a multi-day engagement with religious leaders and U.S. service members.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and AFRICOM senior leaders, conducted a series of high-level visits to Africa with stops in Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland, Nov. 23-27, 2025. The visits were part of an East Africa trip aimed to strengthen America’s strategic approach to confronting terrorism through mutual engagement, stronger cooperation, and aligned security priorities.
CJTF- HOA welcomes new command senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, presided over the CJTF- HOA change of responsibility from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton, outgoing CJTF- HOA command senior enlisted leader, to U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mike Brown, incoming CJTF-HOA CSEL, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11.
Archbishop Broglio visits Djibouti to strengthen faith and partnerships
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, visited Djibouti for a multi-day engagement with religious leaders and U.S. service members.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and AFRICOM senior leaders, conducted a series of high-level visits to Africa with stops in Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland, Nov. 23-27, 2025. The visits were part of an East Africa trip aimed to strengthen America’s strategic approach to confronting terrorism through mutual engagement, stronger cooperation, and aligned security priorities.
CJTF- HOA welcomes new command senior enlisted leader
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, presided over the CJTF- HOA change of responsibility from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton, outgoing CJTF- HOA command senior enlisted leader, to U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mike Brown, incoming CJTF-HOA CSEL, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11.