Maj. Gen. William Zana, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), places newly earned combat patches, a military milestone earned while serving in hostile conditions, on members of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, March 17, 2022. The 404th MEB Soldiers earned their patches while deployed to CJTF-HOA, located at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the only permanent military base on the African continent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, watch as members of the French Armed Forces begin the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Armed Forces head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, prepare for the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Navy head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. The WAKRI Exercise showcases the ability of U.S. forces to operate in conjunction with French forces, improving overall communication to assist in future missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

Members of the French Armed Forces head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, watch as members of the French Armed Forces begin the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2021. The participation of U.S. forces in the French WAKRI exercise demonstrates our interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake)

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, provide aid to simulated casualties at a casualty collection point during an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. The EDREs ensure the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is prepared for any contingency, including crisis response, humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, support to U.S. embassies, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, and other missions as directed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

U.S. service members assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) alongside members of the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) and Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) members in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. The EDREs ensure the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is prepared for any contingency, including crisis response, humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, support to U.S. embassies, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, and other missions as directed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

A Kenyan Defense Force member with the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) pulls security during an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. SPEAR enhances the security of U.S. diplomatic posts in high-threat, high-risk environments by training law enforcement and security personnel in host nations to better respond to emergencies at U.S. diplomatic facilities. The EDREs ensure the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is prepared for any contingency, including crisis response, humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, support to U.S. embassies, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, and other missions as directed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

A U.S. Marine with the Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) based out of the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya and a Kenyan Defense Force member with the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR), prepare to subdue simulated threats during an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. SPEAR teams regularly participate in multinational joint readiness and training exercises with U.S. Marine Security Guards, embassy bodyguards, and embassy local guard forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

Service members from the Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) based out of the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya, and East Africa Response Force (EARF) conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. The EDREs ensure the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is prepared for any contingency, including crisis response, humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, support to U.S. embassies, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, and other missions as directed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

U.S. service members assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), a crisis response asset of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) alongside Kenyan Defense Force members with the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) and Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) members in Nairobi, Kenya, February 25, 2022. The EARF deploys on order to support Department of State partners in security augmentation and assisted departure in order to protect U.S. government personnel and facilities while enabling U.S. embassies to continue operations in challenging security environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Lewis-Taylor, a 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) NCO in charge of civil knowledge integration, teaches children oral hygiene basics at Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, March 7, 2022. The oral hygiene course consisted of brushing and flossing teeth, identifying cephalic body parts and learning basic oral hygiene practices. Members with the 403rd CAB support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by specializing in strengthening partnerships throughout East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

A child practices teeth brushing at Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, March 7, 2022. U.S. Army Soldiers with 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and U.S. Marines with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) volunteered to teach children oral hygiene basics at the orphanage. Members with the 403rd CAB support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by specializing in strengthening partnerships throughout East Africa. The 403rd CAB offers the oral hygiene class weekly and helps between 60-185 children per class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

A child practices oral hygiene at Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, March 7, 2022. U.S. Army Soldiers with the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and U.S. Marines with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) volunteered to teach children at the orphanage oral hygiene basics. The oral hygiene course consisted of brushing and flossing teeth, identifying cephalic body parts and learning oral hygiene practices. Members with the 403rd CAB support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by specializing in strengthening partnerships throughout East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ben Montreuil, a 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) civil affairs specialist, teaches children oral hygiene basics at Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, March 7, 2022. The oral hygiene course consisted of brushing and flossing teeth, identifying cephalic body parts and learning basic oral hygiene practices. Members with the 403rd CAB support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by specializing in strengthening partnerships throughout East Africa. The 403rd CAB offers the oral hygiene class weekly and helps between 60-185 children per class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

A child holds a facial diagram at Caritas Orphanage, Djibouti, March 7, 2022. U.S. Army Soldiers with 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and U.S. Marines with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) volunteered to teach children oral hygiene basics at the orphanage. Members with the 403rd CAB support Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by specializing in strengthening partnerships throughout East Africa. The 403rd CAB offers the oral hygiene class weekly and helps between 60-185 children per class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, 712th Engineer Support Company and Camp Lemonnier Public Works Department meet with the faculty and students of engineering at the University of Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

An engineering student explains his goals in pursuing an engineering degree to military engineers from the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, 712th Engineer Support Company and Camp Lemonnier Public Works Department at the University of Djibouti, February 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Navy Lt. Jg. Glen Fotland discusses his professional experiences as a military engineer at the University of Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The visit was part of a greater whole-of-government approach to building a standing relationship between the US Embassy-Djibouti, Camp Lemonnier, and the university. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), thanks his outgoing and welcomes his incoming Soldiers during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022. Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard’s 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) transferred authority of the CJTF-HOA mission over to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th MEB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Col. Justin Towell, incoming chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, provides remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022. As chief of staff, Towell will lead the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to improve relationships with partner nations through supporting security, mobility and functional operations of forces throughout the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), provides remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022. Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard’s 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) transferred authority of the CJTF-HOA mission over to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th MEB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), provides remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022. Soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard’s 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) transferred authority of the CJTF-HOA mission over to the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th MEB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Col. Justin Towell, left, incoming chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Carroll, senior enlisted leader of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), assume authority of the CJTF-HOA mission during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022. The 404th MEB will aim to improve relationships with partner nations through supporting security, mobility and functional operations of forces throughout the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, meet soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend and Thresher greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, greets soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend greeted the Soldiers as he concluded his multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) commander, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. AFRICOM command senior enlisted leader, meet soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Townsend and Thresher greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) command senior enlisted leader, talks with soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Thresher and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. AFRICOM commander, greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) command senior enlisted leader, talks with soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2022. Thresher and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, U.S. Africa Command commander, greeted the Soldiers as the leaders concluded their multi-country trip to East Africa. The 2CR traveled through Djibouti after finishing a rotation as the security forces at Camp Simba, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Gauret Stearns)

The Armed Forces of Djibouti (FAD) Bataillon d'intervention rapide (BIR) arrives at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The BIR is a FAD advanced infantry battalion that trains and serves as a quick reaction force to accomplish specified tasks directed by its higher command in the Djiboutian army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Marine Corps Marines with Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element and U.S. Army Soldiers with 1-107th Air Operations Battalion conduct a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 8, 2022. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the MACG’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. Marines with the Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element, fill sandbags during a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 8, 2022. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the MACG’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

U.S. service members work with Djiboutian Bataillon d'intervention rapide (BIR) to construct a high frequency signal antenna during a joint command and control exercise at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The members of the BIR used this exercise as an opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness in a field environment and establish standard operating procedures for future use. The multi-day exercise demonstrated the Marine Air Control Group Detachment East Africa Air Combat Element’s ability to rapidly conduct command and control operations in a forward deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

An MV-22B Opsrey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161) takes off at Quaid Range, Djibouti, Feb. 9, 2022. The Ospreys support the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) by providing personnel recovery and casualty evacuation of U.S. Forces throughout East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Blake Wiles)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), set security positions during an air assault with the U.S. Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-161 (VMM-161) in the Grand Bara Desert, Feb. 8, 2022. The EARF is postured to respond to a broad range of military operations to provide limited-defense crisis response in the region, including support for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, support to U.S. embassies and other missions as directed. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)