U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, talks to Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 226 reinforced (VMM-226) and VMM-364 (REIN) following a transfer of authority ceremony April 1, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The VMM provides critical support for multiple operations within CJTF-HOA’s area of interest. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Emily Held)
By SPC Emily Held, Combined Joint Task Force - HornCamp Lemonnier, DjiboutiApr 05, 2023
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.
Task Force Associator opens Joint Light Leaders Course to sister services
U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines participated in the Joint Light Leaders Course to learn fundamentals of infantry tactics, planning, and leadership to build a cohesive relationship across branches to support operations and plans in East Africa.
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.
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.
Task Force Associator opens Joint Light Leaders Course to sister services
U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines participated in the Joint Light Leaders Course to learn fundamentals of infantry tactics, planning, and leadership to build a cohesive relationship across branches to support operations and plans in East Africa.
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.
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.
Task Force Associator opens Joint Light Leaders Course to sister services
U.S. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines participated in the Joint Light Leaders Course to learn fundamentals of infantry tactics, planning, and leadership to build a cohesive relationship across branches to support operations and plans in East Africa.
CJTF-HOA, Djiboutian service members discuss operations for Bull Shark 25-2
U.S. service members discuss operations for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 with Djiboutian and NATO counterparts at Camp Doraleh, Djibouti, April 21, 2025. The objective of Bull Shark is to enhance personnel recovery techniques through numerous scenarios involving land, sea, and air units, while prioritizing communications between allied countries.