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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)

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 and Somalia’s member states of 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. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri

A wrap up video of Bull Shark 26-1, displaying U.S and partner nations cooperating in a joint training exercise over the course of two days at Djibouti, Africa, Nov. 4, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark simulates complex personnel recovery scenarios across land, sea, and air domains, testing coordination and operational readiness while strengthening regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

CJTF-HOA Chief of Staff Biography

CJTF-HOA Chief of Staff Biography

From left to right, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown, incoming CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ted Braxton, outgoing CJTF- HOA CSEL stand for the playing of the Joint Medley at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2025. Composed of multiple U.S. military branches and coupled with foreign armed service personnel from various allied and partner nations, CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict and protect U.S. and partner interests.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, passes the guidon to U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown, incoming CJTF-HOA command senior enlisted leader, during the CJTF-HOA change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2025. CJTF-HOA is a dynamic, joint and multinational operational headquarters responsible for ensuring strategic partnerships, responding to crises and supporting operations throughout East Africa to enhance stability and prosperity. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Brown, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, delivers a speech during the CJTF-HOA change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2025. CJTF-HOA remains unwavering in its mission to confront emerging threats with strength, precision and unity. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown, incoming Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa command senior enlisted leader, delivers a speech during the CJTF-HOA change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 11, 2025. Composed of multiple U.S. military branches and coupled with foreign armed service personnel from various allied and partner nations, CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict and protect U.S. and partner interests. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Justin Szabo, U.S. Africa Command Communications program manager, briefs Djiboutian soldiers during a knowledge exchange at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. The knowledge exchange covered network security and radio communication principles, advancing Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa efforts to increase interoperability between U.S. and host nation forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Thiery Byishimo, signal officer with the 149th Signal Company, Kentucky Army National Guard, participates in a radio communication knowledge exchange with Djiboutian soldiers at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. The state partnership program conducts military-to-military engagements in support of U.S. defense security goals, facilitating cooperation across all levels of international civil-military affairs and encouraging relationship building at the state level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Hufana, center, information technology specialist with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, participates in a radio communications knowledge exchange with Djiboutian soldiers at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. Knowledge exchanges build trust and strengthen mutual understanding by sharing subject matter expertise that support efforts to advance U.S. and partner force capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Djiboutian soldiers participate in a communication network knowledge exchange at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. Knowledge exchanges build trust and strengthen mutual understanding by sharing subject matter expertise that support efforts to advance U.S. and partner force capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard participate in a radio communications knowledge exchange with Djiboutian soldiers at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. The knowledge exchange covered network security and radio communication principles, advancing Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa efforts to increase interoperability between U.S. and host nation forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Kentucky Army National Guard participate in a radio communications knowledge exchange with Djiboutian soldiers at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. The state partnership program conducts military-to-military engagements in support of U.S. defense security goals, facilitating cooperation across all levels of international civil-military affairs, and encouraging relationship building at the state level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Africa Command, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa personnel, and Djiboutian soldiers conduct a communications network knowledge exchange at the Djiboutian signal corp compound in Djibouti City, Djibouti, July 14, 2025. The knowledge exchange covered network security and radio communication principles, advancing Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa efforts to increase interoperability between U.S. and host nation forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Spanish Air and Space Force Lt. Ricardo Coello, left, Air Tactical Detachment Orion public affairs officer, and Maj. Fernando Pelegrina, Air Tactical Detachment Orion foreign liaison officer, work together during a Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The interoperability built over the three-day exercise increased collaboration and coordination between CJTF-HOA personnel and partner forces, ensuring U.S., ally, and partner personnel are prepared to respond in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Scott Whitley, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Multinational Coordination Cell deputy, participates in an MNCC tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The exercise tested participants’ crisis response capabilities to maintain readiness and increase interoperability in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Merrill, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Strategy and Plans deputy director, briefs Brig. Gen. Andrew Ballenger, CJTF-HOA deputy commanding general, on a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 25, 2025. The MNCC tabletop exercise tested participants’ crisis response capabilities to maintain readiness and increase interoperability in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa U.S. service members and partners from France, Italy, Japan, Spain and South Korea participate in a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 26, 2025. The interoperability built over the three-day exercise increased collaboration and coordination between CJTF-HOA personnel and partner forces, ensuring U.S., ally, and partner personnel are prepared to respond in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)

U.S. Army Sgt. Henry Warwick, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa foreign liaison officer coordinator, participates in a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The CJTF-HOA MNCC is a collaborative group of U.S. and partner force representatives, designed to coordinate crisis response operations in the case of an event affecting the U.S. and partner nation personnel within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Spanish Air and Space Force Lt. Ricardo Coello, right, Air Tactical Detachment Orion public affairs officer, works together with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa U.S. service members and foreign liaison officers during a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The CJTF-HOA MNCC is a collaborative group of U.S. and partner force representatives designed to coordinate crisis response operations in the case of an event affecting the U.S. and partner nation personnel within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Foreign liaison officers with the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa discuss events during a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The MNCC tabletop exercise tested participants’ crisis response capabilities to maintain readiness and increase interoperability in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa U.S. service members and partners from France, Italy, Japan, Spain and South Korea participate in a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The MNCC tabletop exercise tested participant crisis response capabilities to maintain readiness and increase interoperability in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

An Italian foreign liaison officer with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa talks on the phone during a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The interoperability built over the three-day exercise increased collaboration and coordination between CJTF-HOA personnel and partner forces, ensuring U.S., ally, and partner personnel are prepared to respond in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Army Maj. Ryan Lindberg, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Multinational Coordination Cell officer in charge, participates in an MNCC tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 25, 2025. The interoperability built over the three-day exercise increased collaboration and coordination between CJTF-HOA personnel and partner forces, ensuring U.S., ally, and partner personnel are prepared to respond in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

Spanish Air and Space Force Maj. Fernando Pelegrina, left, Air Tactical Detachment Orion foreign liaison officer, collaborates with other Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa foreign liaison officers during a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 24, 2025. The CJTF-HOA MNCC is a collaborative group of U.S. and partner force representatives, designed to coordinate crisis response operations in the case of an event affecting the U.S. and partner nation personnel within the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Ballenger, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa deputy commanding general, greets partner nation foreign liaison officers during a Multinational Coordination Cell tabletop exercise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 25, 2025. The MNCC tabletop exercise tested participant crisis response capabilities to maintain readiness and increase interoperability in a crisis situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out identification badges.)

U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Lopez, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Transportation Motor Pool specialist, answers a phone call at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 29, 2025. The TMP office is responsible for loaning out vehicles to squadrons and units across Camp Lemonnier, ensuring agencies across CJTF-HOA can be more efficient, swift, and intelligent about operations conducted in the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Vasquez)