Comoros army Lt. Ali Abdoul-Kader, a foreign liaison officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs multinational military partners about his country during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

Comoros army Lt. Ali Abdoul-Kader, a foreign liaison officer for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs multinational military partners about his country during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks to multinational military partners during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas Wall, chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), bids farewell to multinational military partners during a CJTF-HOA cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, left, (D-OR) speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry André, right, during a briefing at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, left, (D-OR) speaks with U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), during a briefing at CJTF-HOA, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, left, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), center, and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti Larry André, right, pose for a photo at CJTF-HOA before a briefing at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Scott)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) meets with service members from Oregon deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kirsten Brandes)

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) poses for a photo with service members from Oregon deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), Djibouti, April 26, 2019. Wyden traveled to Djibouti to visit U.S. forces and embassy officials and to meet with national defense leaders to understand the current posture of readiness and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kirsten Brandes)

CJTF-HOA Chief of Staff Biography

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, poses for a photo with U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, speaks to U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, meets with U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

Dennis Walter Hearne, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique, speaks to U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in Maputo, Mozambique, April 11, 2019. CJTF-HOA led U.S. Department of Defense Cyclone Idai relief efforts in support of U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team. The task force helped meet requirements identified by USAID assessment teams and humanitarian organizations working in the region by providing logistics support and manpower to USAID at the request of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, claps after a demonstration by soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, thanks soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, after demonstrating hand-to-hand combat during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

A U.S. Army Soldier with Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, helps a soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, prepare for a visit from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser and Zakaria visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks to soldiers from the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, the Rapid Intervention Battalion, after a tactical demonstration during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, left center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, addresses U.S. Army Soldiers fromHeadquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, who train Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) soldiers during his visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, left center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, comments on a brief about partner training delivered bythe officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, watches a demonstration by soldiers assigned to the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, watches a demonstration by a soldier assigned to the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, center, commander of U.S. Africa Command, listens to a brief about partner training delivered by the officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, right, commander of U.S. Africa Command, returns the salute of the officer in charge of NCO training for the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), U.S. Army 1st Lt. Travis Holihan, Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, during a visit with senior Djiboutian officials, including Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the RIB, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, right, commander of U.S. Africa Command, shakes hands with Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. While in Djibouti, Waldhauser observed the ongoing growth and development of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, which the U.S. is in the process of training and equipping at the request of the Djiboutian government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

A U.S. Army Soldier with Headquarters Company, 1-26 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne, assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, helps a soldier from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, prepare for a visit from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser and Zakaria visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

A soldier assigned to the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), the Djiboutian army’s elite military force, prepares for a visit from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Chief of General Staff of the Djibouti Armed Forces Gen. Zakaria Cheik Ibrahim, during the officials’ visit at a training base in Djibouti, March 21, 2019. Waldhauser and Zakaria visited in order to discuss the growth and development of Djiboutian security forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel

Multinational military partners talk while attending a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Multinational military partners look at memorabilia from Kenya while attending a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Attendees gather for a group photo at a cultural exchange event led by Kenya Defence Force Lt. Col. Victor Mburu, a foreign liaison officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Carpenter, middle left, the command chaplain for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), poses for a photo with multinational military partners while attending a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Kenya Defence Force Lt. Col. Victor Mburu, a foreign liaison officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), introduces fellow countrymen who work on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to multinational military partners while presenting information on his home country during a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Kenya Defence Force Lt. Col. Victor Mburu, a foreign liaison officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents information on his home country to multinational military partners during a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Kenya Defence Force Lt. Col. Victor Mburu, a foreign liaison officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents information on his home country to multinational military partners during a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

Kenya Defence Force Lt. Col. Victor Mburu, a foreign liaison officer assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), presents information on his home country to multinational military partners during a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas Wall, chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), greets multinational military partners during a cultural exchange event at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2019. CJTF-HOA holds monthly exchange events with multinational military partners affiliated with Camp Lemonnier to strengthen alliances and attract new partners in the combined joint military environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn Nickel)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, right, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), listens to Elisabetta Trenta, Italian Minister of Defence, during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2019. Trenta visited CJTF-HOA to gain insight on how U.S. forces operate in the combined joint operations area and to foster relations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

Elisabetta Trenta, Italian Minister of Defense, left, speaks to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF- HOA), to gain insight into the partnership between the two nations on the African continent during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2019. Trenta visited CJTF-HOA to gain insight on how U.S. forces operate in the combined joint operations area and to foster relations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), briefs Elisabetta Trenta, Italian Minister of Defense, Italian Embassy staff, and Italian military officers during Trenta’s visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2019. Trenta visited CJTF-HOA to gain insight on how U.S. forces operate in the combined joint operations area and to foster relations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)

Elisabetta Trenta, Italian Minister of Defense, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. Kriesel, deputy commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF- HOA), to gain insight into the partnership between the two nations on the African continent during her visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2019. Trenta visited CJTF-HOA to gain insight on how U.S. forces operate in the combined joint operations area and to foster relations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos)