Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) medical logistics Soldiers processed blood for the first time with the command’s brand-new, and only, blood storage and distribution center. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stands up East Africa’s first blood storage and distribution center Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) medical logistics Soldiers processed blood for the first time with the command’s brand-new, and only, blood storage and distribution center. Read more >
U.S. Navy Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Shyatesa Hall, meteorological and oceanographic operations forecaster, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, observes weather information on a Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMQ-53) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 3, 2020. The Meteorological and Oceanographic Center is responsible for analyzing weather conditions, assessing their potential impacts, and informing decision-makers of the possible effects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami) Sailor predicts weather, ensures operational safety While most people know what to expect with weather in Djibouti, it takes an expert to predict when it will vary. These variations from typical weather patterns are what have the largest impact, so it is imperative to know when they are coming and what to expect. Prior to the execution of any given mission, it is important that Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) key personnel understand and assess the potential weather-induced risks involved. Read more >
U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Kristy Lescrynski, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), air traffic control training chief, left, directs an aircraft into takeoff position at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, March 17, 2020. Prior to the implementation of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines, Lescrynski worked in Ambouli’s tower to coordinate with host nation and coalition partners to ensure smooth air and ground operations at the airport. Since social distancing was implemented, U.S. controllers work out of a watch tower elsewhere on the flight line and maintain contact with Ambouli using alternate communication methods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel) Air Traffic Control: Stoplight for the Sky CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI— Air Traffic Control is an around-the-clock job, and those in the career field need to maintain flexibility to continue the mission, no matter what’s going on in the rest of the world. Read more >
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford, equal opportunity advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), photographed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Mar. 16, 2020. Crawford began her career as a signal soldier, transitioned to work in finance, and was selected to work in equal opportunity as a broadening assignment. Crawford is currently the highest ranking senior enlisted female in CJTF-HOA and has 29 years of service in the Army Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor) Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford: The road to the one percent Growing up a military brat, U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford, equal opportunity advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), never saw herself as the type to join the military, let alone being a sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserve 29 years later. Currently the highest ranking enlisted female within CJTF-HOA, Crawford became part of the one percent of military enlisted members in Jan. 2019, but she originally thought the military would be a temporary part of her life. Read more >
U.S. Navy Lt. Gail Evangelista, nurse, assigned to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, dons a facemask prior to interacting with a patient at the Michaud Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 16, 2020. Evangelista is part of a four-member team sent by Naval Forces Africa to augment critical positions within the EMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling existing EMF staff to execute their primary mission of treating trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami) Medical from across CJOA, elsewhere come together for coordinated response to COVID-19 pandemic Over the past several weeks, medical personnel from multiple units across the combined joint operations area (CJOA) have come together to provide a better coordinated effort to protect the health and welfare of the 6,500 service members, Department of Defense employees and contractors in East Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more >
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Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn or Africa

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U.S. Navy Lt. Gail Evangelista, nurse, assigned to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, dons a facemask prior to interacting with a patient at the Michaud Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 16, 2020. Evangelista is part of a four-member team sent by Naval Forces Africa to augment critical positions within the EMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling existing EMF staff to execute their primary mission of treating trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)

It takes a village: military medical from across East African CJOA, elsewhere come together for coordinated response to COVID-19 pandemic

Over the past several weeks, medical personnel from multiple units across the combined joint operations area (CJOA) have come together to provide a better coordinated effort to protect the health and welfare of the 6,500 service members, Department of Defense employees and contractors in East Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford, equal opportunity advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), photographed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Mar. 16, 2020. Crawford began her career as a signal soldier, transitioned to work in finance, and was selected to work in equal opportunity as a broadening assignment. Crawford is currently the highest ranking senior enlisted female in CJTF-HOA and has 29 years of service in the Army Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)

Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford: The road to the one percent

Growing up a military brat, U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shadonika Crawford, equal opportunity advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), never saw herself as the type to join the military, let alone being a sergeant major in the U.S. Army Reserve 29 years later. Currently the highest ranking enlisted female within CJTF-HOA, Crawford became part of the one percent of military enlisted members in Jan. 2019, but she originally thought the military would be a temporary part of her life.

U.S. Army Spc. Alan Sanchez, Task Force Guardian Alpha Company infantryman, pours a cleaning solution into a spray bottle during a training session for a high-traffic area disinfect team at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2020. The team learned how COVID-19 and other viruses can live on non-porous surfaces, such as metal, glass, plastic, and laminated surfaces, for several days. The teams are now disinfecting high traffic locations and objects like water filling stations, benches and doors at common use facilities frequently touched by multiple individuals to prevent illness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)

CJTF-HOA rolls-out Disinfectant Teams

In order to keep personnel safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ) and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) leadership created and trained a team of service members to disinfect high-usage areas around camp.
U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Kristy Lescrynski, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), air traffic control training chief, left, directs an aircraft into takeoff position at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, March 17, 2020. Prior to the implementation of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines, Lescrynski worked in Ambouli’s tower to coordinate with host nation and coalition partners to ensure smooth air and ground operations at the airport. Since social distancing was implemented, U.S. controllers work out of a watch tower elsewhere on the flight line and maintain contact with Ambouli using alternate communication methods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)

Air Traffic Control: Stoplight for the Sky

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI— Air Traffic Control is an around-the-clock job, and those in the career field need to maintain flexibility to continue the mission, no matter what’s going on in the rest of the world.
U.S. Navy Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Shyatesa Hall, meteorological and oceanographic operations forecaster, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, observes weather information on a Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMQ-53) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 3, 2020. The Meteorological and Oceanographic Center is responsible for analyzing weather conditions, assessing their potential impacts, and informing decision-makers of the possible effects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)

Sailor predicts weather, ensures operational safety

While most people know what to expect with weather in Djibouti, it takes an expert to predict when it will vary. These variations from typical weather patterns are what have the largest impact, so it is imperative to know when they are coming and what to expect. Prior to the execution of any given mission, it is important that Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) key personnel understand and assess the potential weather-induced risks involved.
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Capt. Steven Lathrop, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa logistics director, speaks on the logistics mission continuing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. More videos >

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Staff from the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), part of the Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), demonstrate its medical and equipment capabilities at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2020. The creation of the COVID-19 ICU aligns with coordinated preventive measures developed to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristen A. Heller)Staff from the Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF), demonstrate medical equipment used to stabilize patients at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facility at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 9, 2020. The COVID-19 ICU is located separately from the EMF to prevent potential cross-contamination of the virus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristen A. Heller)U.S. Air Force Maj. Leah Chapman (left), Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Surgeon Cell public health officer, demonstrates creating a cleaning solution using bleach and water during a training session for the high-traffic area disinfectant team at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2020. The team learned how COVID-19 and other viruses can live on non-porous surfaces, such as metal, glass, plastic, and laminated surfaces, for several days. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)U.S. Navy personnel, from left, Hospital Corpsmen 2nd Class Jerry Marquez and Wickbol Monno, Lt. Gail Evangelista, nurse, and Cmdr. Hillary Meyer, nurse anesthetist, assigned to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, stand in front of Michaud Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 16, 2020. The four-member team augments critical positions within the EMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling existing EMF staff to execute their primary mission of treating trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)U.S. Navy Lt. Gail Evangelista, nurse, assigned to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, takes a patient’s temperature at the Michaud Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 16, 2020. Evangelista is part of a four-member team sent by Naval Forces Africa to augment critical positions within the EMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling existing EMF staff to fulfill their primary mission of treating trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)U.S. Navy Lt. Gail Evangelista, nurse, assigned to Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, dons a facemask prior to interacting with a patient at the Michaud Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 16, 2020. Evangelista is part of a four-member team sent by Naval Forces Africa to augment critical positions within the EMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling existing EMF staff to execute their primary mission of treating trauma patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami)U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Pauline Jones, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa public health noncommissioned officer-in-charge, teaches service members assigned to a high-traffic area disinfectant team how to create and properly use a cleaning solution at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 27, 2020. The team learned how COVID-19 and other viruses can live on non-porous surfaces, such as metal, glass, plastic, and laminated surfaces, for several days. The teams are now disinfecting high traffic locations and objects like water filling stations, benches and doors at common use facilities frequently touched by multiple individuals to prevent illness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1-200th Infantry Battalion, Task Force Guardian, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, ruck march during the Bataan Memorial Death March at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, March 15, 2020. The New Mexico National Guard’s 1-200th Infantry Battalion hosts an annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands National Park, New Mexico, to honor the Prisoner of War Soldiers who were force-marched in the Philippines during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gage Daniel)
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