U.S. service members work alongside the
Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard conduct a
piracy interdiction drill during exercise Bull
Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti,
May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S.,
Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces(Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side by side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Military personnel conduct hoist operations in an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura,
Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-
Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Naval Forces nations trained side-
by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorelai Warman)
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Micah Close, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 crew chief, prepares for takeoff while inside a MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
U.S. service members assigned to the
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
communications directorate oversee
communication operations between air, land and maritime partners during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and
partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Simmons,
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
exercise planner, performs a communications check in preparation for a simulated piracy interdiction drill during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy), French Forces in Djibouti, and partner nations trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, flies during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark prepared U.S. and partner nation units to respond rapidly in a joint environment to humanitarian emergencies and regional security threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek)
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members conduct security for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, flies over water for a
search and rescue operation during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti,
May 6, 2025. Maritime air and ground forces from U.S. and partner nations rehearsed key
mission tasks to build trust, improve response coordination and sharpen tactical execution
while working toward strengthening regional security and stability.
(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lorelai Warman)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
2:12 PM5/12/2025
U.S. Army Col. Jason Inskeep, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-7 Training and Exercises director, and Sgt. Richard Dahlby, CJTF-HOA CJ-6 Future Operations planner, discuss the importance of Bull Shark at Arta Range, Djibouti, May 12, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Union’s Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy) trained side-by-side to strengthen communications, readiness, and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Alexander Vasquez)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:21 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members conduct security for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:21 PM5/12/2025
A U.S. pararescueman assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, right, inspects a member of the Joint Personnel Recovery Center during a simulated medical emergency for exercise Bull Shark, 25-2, in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of Exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like-minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:20 PM5/12/2025
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, left, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Louis Donatucci, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 crew chief, assist a hoist operation from an MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark focused on bringing together U.S. and partner nation forces to enhance communication and interoperability while performing simulated personnel recovery operations across land, sea and air domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, rappels out of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy) trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members depart a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey to conduct security for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Union's Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy) trained side-by-side to strengthen communication, readiness and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members prepare for takeoff in a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and partner nations demonstrated agility and interoperability through joint maneuver, communication, and casualty evacuation drills.
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members board a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Exercise Bull Shark focused on bringing together U.S. and partner nation forces to enhance communication and interoperability while performing simulated personnel recovery operations across land, sea and air domains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members board a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. The purpose of Exercise Bull Shark was to enable joint training between like-minded partners throughout East Africa and increase crisis response and personnel recovery skills through continued practice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
Bull Shark 25-2: US strengthens alliances, collectively boosts regional security capabilities in East Africa
12:19 PM5/12/2025
Spanish Special Operation Maritime Team Unit members perform a gear check prior to boarding a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey for exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and partner nations demonstrated agility and interoperability through joint maneuver, communication, and casualty evacuation drills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
2:54 PM5/7/2025
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, far right, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, met with various personnel during a Battlefield Circulation visit May 1-2, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. Cashman routinely visits forward-deployed troops to meet with key leaders, check on the morale and welfare of service members and ensure overall mission readiness throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
2:45 PM5/7/2025
U.S. Army Sgt. Branden Alvarez, right, East Africa Response Force infantryman, briefs Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, left, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa commanding general, regarding security and protection measures for the base May 1, 2025, at Cooperative Security Location, Kismayo, Somalia. During the visit, Cashman spent time meeting with forward-deployed troops, coordinating with key leaders and ensuring the bases’ overall mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Allison Payne)