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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Fedor, right, 152nd Engineer Support Company squad leader, helps lay concertina wire at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia, May 20, 2025. By strengthening physical defenses, force protection upgrades at CSL Kismayo directly support the safety, morale and operational readiness of deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerma
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Angelina Sasso, 152nd Engineer Support Company wheeled vehicle mechanic, cuts wood boards at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia, May 20, 2025. 152nd ESC engineers progress Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa lines of effort through the support and development provided across the various CJTF-HOA outstations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerma
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Spc. Conrod Hugh, 152nd Engineer Support Company horizontal construction engineer, works on a construction project at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia, May 20, 2025. By strengthening physical defenses, force protection upgrades at CSL Kismayo directly support the safety, morale and operational readiness of deployed service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerma
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Gianni Picardo, 152nd Engineer Support Company interior electrician, unloads insulation at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia, May 20, 2025. Engineers from the 152nd ESC progress Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa lines of effort through the support and development provided across the various CJTF-HOA outstations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerma
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Army Sgt. Naomi Velez, 152nd Engineer Support Company engineer operator, work on a construction project at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia, May 20, 2025. Projects led by the 152nd ESC directly support CJTF-HOA initiatives by strengthening partner capabilities and contributing to regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerma
Forward-deployed to Cooperative Security Location (CSL), Kismayo, Somalia, the 152nd Engineer Support Company plays a vital role in supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa operations across East Africa.
Through critical construction projects, engineers are enhancing force protection, improving quality of life at out-stations and advancing CJTF-HOA’s mission to strengthen partner capacity and foster regional cooperation.
The presence of force support units, such as the 152nd ESC, is key to ensuring high priority projects are completed in a timely manner. These Soldiers stand ready to operate and execute in CSL’s fast-paced environment.
“Within a short timeline, sometimes a week or even a day, a project can go from the planning stages to execution, so the engineer team’s presence here is needed,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Kwong, 152nd ESC officer in charge. “It takes time to get materials and equipment, so already having engineers staged at the sites means we’re able to get started right away.”
Through coordination with the CJTF-HOA Force Support Engineer section at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and CSL Kismayo Mayor Cell, the 152nd ESC identifies and prioritizes force protection capability and quality of life upgrades necessary to maintain the security and well-being of installation personnel.
Currently, the 152nd ESC is working on various large-scale force protection projects to upgrade CSL Kismayo, said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeffery Fedor, 152nd ESC squad leader. Additionally, some projects the ESC are completing to advance the well-being of base personnel include a medical aid station, an updated dining facility, a new gym and shade racks for bottled water stations across the installation.
Given the unpredictable environment at CSL, effective resource management is critical to the 152 ESC’s mission. The resourceful approaches taken by the engineers have been essential to overcoming material and equipment challenges.
“It really comes down to being resilient and adaptable in the face of anything that comes our way,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Naomi Velez, 152nd ESC engineer operator. “Whether it’s a shortage of personnel, limited materials, extreme heat or heavy rain, we find a way to adjust our plan and get the job done on time.”
The engineers with the 152nd ESC have been diligently working on projects since they first put boots on the ground in Somalia, progressing CJTF-HOA initiatives to enhance regional stability and promote cooperation with the host nation.
“Since we first arrived here, until now, and I’m sure until the end of the deployment, morale has been high and we’ve been ready to work,” said Kwong.
