Members of Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn recently participated in the 2015 Grand Bara 15K race in Djibouti Dec. 17, 2015. More than 1,500 runners from different countries participated in the desert race.
By U.S. Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of AfricaGrand Bara Desert, DjiboutiDec 19, 2015
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Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 runners from different countries participated in the desert race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The Grand Bara run includes runners from American, Japanese, French and local Djiboutian militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Members of Camp Lemonnier run during the 2015 Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The Grand Bara is a desert in southern Djibouti consisting of large areas of sand flats, with sparse, semi-desert and desert grasses and scrub vegetation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Most races start with a gunshot, but the Grand Bara traditionally starts with a flyover of French Mirage fighter jets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Peter Thompson)
Runners sprint for the finish line in the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 service members and civilians representing France, Djibouti, U.S., Japan, Germany and others participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
A runner sprints for the finish line during the Grand Bara 15K race in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 250 members from Camp Lemonnier participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Runners make their way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. The race was originally established in 1982 as an internal event for the French, organized by the 13th demi-brigade of the French Foreign Legion until 2010. When the Legionaires left Djibouti, the French 5th inter-army regiment took over. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
A runner makes her way across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 service members and civilians representing France, Djibouti, U.S., Japan, Germany and others participated in the race. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, treks across the Grand Bara Desert during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival was injured while on duty and is paralyzed from the chest down. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is greeted and cheered by fellow competitors after crossing the finish line during the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec.17, 2015, in Djibouti. Although paralyzed from the chest down, Dorival participates in races and plans to cross Death Valley in his wheel chair in 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is cheered on by more than 1,500 fellow competitors on his way to the winner’s podium after completing the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival was injured in the line of duty, but continues to serve as a reservist in the French Army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
French Army Sgt. Vincent Dorival, Paris Fire Brigade, is cheered on by more than 1,500 fellow competitors after completing the Annual Grand Bara 15K race Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. Dorival continues to serve as a reservist in the French Army. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
Members of Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa pose for a group photo after completing the 2015 Grand Bara 15K race in Djibouti Dec. 17, 2015, in Djibouti. More than 1,500 runners from different countries participated in the desert race (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan DeCook)
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
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)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
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)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.
One team: CJTF-HOA leaders visit troops in Kismayo, Somalia
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)
US Army engineers enhance medical capabilities at Baledogle Military Airfield, Somalia
The 152nd Engineer Support Company deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is playing a pivotal role in enhancing both military operations and the quality of life for service members stationed at Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA), Somalia, through various construction projects, to include a recent build of a medical aid station.
The air was heavy that day - not just from the summer heat, but from the weight of loss that clung to everyone in the room. Families sat close together, shoulders brushing, as if physical proximity could offer some small measure of comfort. Outside the chapel, the faint hum of military vehicles was a distant reminder of the larger conflict at hand. Inside, however, time felt suspended. It was just us, the grieving, and the silence.