U.S. Soldier conquers French Desert Commando Course
12/19/2023
For nearly fifty years, French soldiers stationed in Djibouti have made their way to Arta Mountains for the French Desert Command course, a grueling five-day course designed to test soldiers’ physical, emotional and mental limits. This year 40 U.S. service members signed up for the challenge, among them was U.S. Army SGT Liliana Munday.
Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, left, and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, right, discuss joint operations in Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023. The Department of Defense has maintained a consistent presence in Djibouti and worked together as partners to ensure safety and stability in the region. (Department of State photo)
Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, left, meets with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, in Djibouti Nov. 22, 2023. The leaders discussed the enduring partnership between the two nations and their joint mission to ensure safety and stability in the region. (Department of State photo)
AFRICOM, Djibouti leaders continue to strengthen ties
12/4/2023
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Youssouf, during a recent visit to Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, speaks to deployed service members on Thanksgiving at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23. 2023. Woods and U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, paid a special holiday visit to Djibouti to meet with service members and express their gratitude and appreciation for their service all year long. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), speaks to deployed service members on Thanksgiving at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23. 2023. Langley and AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods, visited Djibouti to meet with service members to express their gratitude and appreciation for their service all year long. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley presented awards to service members, attended a Turkey Bowl flag football game, and met with troops who are spending a holiday away from home. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley presented awards to service members, attended a Turkey Bowl flag football game, and met with troops who are spending a holiday away from home. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, serves a Thanksgiving meal to service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 23, 2023. U.S. Africa Command senior leaders visited service members deployed to Camp Lemonnier during the holidays. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, coins U.S. Army SGT Cyle Smith, 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Nov. 22, 2023. While visiting Camp Lemonnier, Langley recognized outstanding performers, attended an annual Djibouti Bowl flag football game, and served Thanksgiving meals to junior service members deployed in the Horn of Africa. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
U.S. Africa Command leaders pose for a group photo with service members from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa during a visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 22, 2023. Langley spent part of his visit to the installation engaging with troops currently deployed to the Horn of Africa. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
U.S Service members play against each other in a cross national football game at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Nov. 23, 2023. Langley visited troops stationed at Camp Lemonnier for a day of Thanksgiving festivities. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Corporals Course students engage in simulated hand-to-hand combat between checkpoints at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. Service members going through the Corporals Course encountered a number of obstacles they had to overcome as a team, building cohesion and enhancing problem-solving abilities. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Simulated casualties are scattered around Marines attempting to locate their next checkpoint and make contact with other students during the Corporals Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt.. Dylan Gentile)
A Marine going through the Corporals Course sits in the cockpit of a C-130H Hercules during a simulated aerial evacuation at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. One of the most important skills members learn from the course is how to lead others and manage people effectively while maintaining Marine Corps Values. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Marines and Soldiers sit onboard a C-130H Hercules during a simulated aerial evacuation as part of the Corporals Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. A previous iteration of the course hosted members from the Djiboutian Armed Forces. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
A Marine instructs a Task Force Tomahawk soldier on techniques for carrying a fellow student using a backpack during the Corporals Course at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. During the course, students revisit fundamental skills such as land navigation, drill techniques, and physical fitness, as well as Marine Corps standards and traditions. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Two Marines going through the Corporals Course look over a map to determine their next checkpoint during a land navigation exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. A Corporal in the Marine Corps is the first tier in the non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank structure. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Marines taking part in the Corporals Course set up a radio antenna at a checkpoint Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. Students were tested on a variety of skills in practical exercises throughout the course. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Soldiers and Marines participating in the Corporals Course run toward an aircraft for a simulated evacuation at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 3, 2023. While deployed to Africa, it is common that members from across the U.S. military, regardless of branch, work together to complete the requirements of the complex mission within the joint environment. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
