Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, walk to a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Pallets built with mission essential equipment and dozens of infantrymen were loaded onto the aircraft, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, as part of the exercise. Within minutes of being fully loaded, the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, verify equipment information Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Members of Bravo Company participated in a two-part validation exercise that consisted of a rapid mobilization scenario from the camp, which lead to the company convoying to and providing simulated security for the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
A U.S. Army Soldier from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, verifies his laser is properly functioning Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The East Africa Response Force serves as a part of U.S. Africa Command’s crisis response capability, and is tasked with responding to emergency situations at U.S. Embassies in the East African region or in countries around the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, listen for the order to pull while securing equipment to a pallet Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The East Africa Response Force serves as a part of U.S. Africa Command’s crisis response capability, and is tasked with responding to emergency situations at U.S. Embassies in the East African region or in countries around the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, secure equipment to a pallet Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Members of the U.S. Army’s Bravo Company 3-15, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, completed a validation exercise displaying their ability to assume responsibility from Alpha Company 3-15, as the East Africa Response Force assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, load pallets with water and meals ready-to-eat Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. After being recalled in the early hours of the morning to validate the East Africa Response Force’s rapid response ability, EARF members gathered and immediately began by prepping personal gear and equipment. Shortly after, teams began building pallets with all the necessities for self-sustainment and mission accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, load pallets with water and meals ready-to-eat Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Members of Bravo Company participated in a two-part validation exercise that consisted of a rapid mobilization scenario from the camp, which lead to the company convoying to and providing security for the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
A U.S. Army Soldier from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, directs a forklift Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. After being recalled in the early hours of the morning to validate the East Africa Response Force’s rapid response ability, EARF members gathered and immediately began by prepping personal gear and equipment. Shortly after, teams began building pallets with all the necessities for self-sustainment and mission accomplishment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, board a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Feb. 13, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Members of the U.S. Army’s Bravo Company 3-15, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, completed a validation exercise displaying their ability to assume responsibility from Alpha Company 3-15, as the East Africa Response Force assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Within hours of being notified, CJTF-HOA’s East Africa Response Force prepared dozens of Soldiers and tons of supplies for takeoff during an emergency response exercise, validating the EARF’s rapid response capabilities.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Betty Cummisky, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion commander, speaks during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. They will conduct military-to-military and civil-military engagements to strengthen partner nation capacity and continue to build on the strong foundation established by the departing 415th CA BN. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion stand at ease during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. They will continue to build on a strong foundation with local military forces, civilian populations and civilian authorities, as well as advise the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general on the civil environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Betty Cummisky, 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion commander, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tamara Edwards, 403rd CA BN command sergeant major, unfurl their unit colors during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Unfurling the unit colors signified the transfer of authority from the 415th CA BN, which is now preparing to redeploy home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers from the incoming 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion salute during the transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. As the two units stood side by side in separate formations, the 415th CA BN sheathed their unit colors while the 403rd CA BN unfurled theirs, signifying the transfer of authority. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
The U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalion assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The 415th Civil Affairs Battalion arrived in Djibouti June 11, 2015, and has been working hand-in-hand with the local Djiboutian populace, authorities, Djibouti Armed Forces, and other integral organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton/Released)
CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs Battalions transfer authority
3:29 PM2/16/2016
Two U.S. Army Civil Affairs Battalions assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 12, 2016, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Warrant Officer John Muthoka, Kenya Defence Forces sergeant major, answers questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four KDF SELs consisted of Muthoka and the ranking enlisted member of their army, air force and navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces open the floor for questions during a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, as part of an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. The four highest ranking of their enlisted force travelled over 1,300 miles in hopes of building a relationship with Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa personnel, but more importantly doing everything in their power to work toward a secure and stable East African region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)
Senior enlisted leaders from the Kenya Defence Forces host a junior enlisted town hall meeting at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, during an SEL engagement Feb. 11, 2016. A difference amongst the KDF and U.S. enlisted forces is the level of responsibility and decision-making authority given to young Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton)