Marines Train Servicemembers in Martial Arts

13 Jun 07
By U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti — Sailors and soldiers of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Camp Lemonier are learning non-lethal self defense moves from the U.S. Marine Corps by participating in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).

During the June 2 session, students learned basic knife techniques, throws, basic movements, restraints, weapon defense techniques and apprehension without deadly force.

“This program is intense because it focuses on mental, character and physical discipline,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ryan Piatti, 6th Provisional Security Company MCMAP instructor. “It pushes them to look deep within and do something they wouldn’t normally get to do in their branch of service.”

For Petty Officer 1st Class Roger Beaumont, CJTF-HOA Administration, taking the class reminds people that age shouldn’t stop anyone from doing what they want to do.

“I’m 57, so I wanted to show everyone that older people can still have the stamina to keep up with a younger crowd,” he said. “It pushes me to the max and my body lets me know it.”

MCMAP is designed to provide individuals with the ability and confidence to fight in hand-to-hand combat using any weapon available. It also teaches self-discipline as to understand the responsible use of force, both on and off the battlefield.

“In a combat zone we follow the Rules of Engagement, so the skills we learn here will help us protect ourselves without firing a weapon,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Jonny Pierce, Delta Co. 1/3 Old Guard.

Whether the students see a battlefield or not, the knowledge gained from the experience will help them in any environment they face.

“It’s a great feeling being able to have the knowledge and abilities to protect myself from those who want to cause me bodily harm,” said Chief Petty Officer Scott Carver, Camp Lemonier’s Supply leading chief petty officer. And for Piatti, sharing a Marine Corps tradition with his trainees is a very rewarding experience.

“I am proud to be part of a program that teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to protect themselves in a non-lethal way from the enemy,” he said.

Photo - Sailors and soldiers of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's Camp Lemonier learn basic self defense techniques with a weapon during the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program June 2, 2007. The objective of the training is to teach all branches of the service how to protect themselves without firing their weapon. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy.

US Navy Seabees improve Primary School in Ethiopia

11-Jun-07
by U.S. Navy Builder Construction Apprentice Nick Emanuele
CJTF-HOA.

ADDIS, Ethiopia – The American Ambassador to Ethiopia, Honorable Donald Yamamoto paid a visit to the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB 133), Detachment Horn of Africa (HOA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Seabees in Addis Ababa have been tasked by the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to construct three concrete masonry unit (CMU) block structures for the Abiot Emerja Primary School. One structure will house the school’s library, the second structure will become an administrative building, and the third structure will be a latrine facility.

U.S. Navy Construction Electrician First Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Michael Duranko, who serves as the Addis Ababa Project Supervisor commented, “The project itself has been rewarding and has proven to be a challenge my crew is eager to take on. The initial construction started out slowly but once we worked out a few material and contractor issues, our construction processes dramatically improved.”

U.S. Ambassador Mr. Donald Yamamoto was greeted at the construction site by Petty Officer Duranko. Petty Officer Duranko described the phases of the project which included ground breaking location, materials needed for the project, and the structure site emplacement. Upon completion of the briefing, Petty Officer Duranko escorted the Ambassador to the project site to see the middle phases of construction.

At the construction site, the Seabee crew of Detail Addis Ababa were preparing for a concrete foundation placement scheduled only a few days away. The Seabees were pleased to meet the Ambassador and were happy for the pleasure of discussing details about the project with him. Overall, the U.S. Ambassador Yamamoto was quite impressed with the work the Seabees were doing and invited them out for dinner at a future date.

Builder Second Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Scott Anderson, Addis Ababa Crew Leader remarked, “The Ambassador was surprised to see how much the project was impacting the surrounding communities. He [Ambassador Yamamoto] also said he never seen a project get so much attention as this one.”

In conjunction with the Ambassador’s visit the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) toured the project site. CE1 (SCW) Duranko had an opportunity to discus with the ENA the specifics of the Seabees mission in the Horn of Africa.

According to U.S. Ambassador Yamamoto told ENA, “The U.S. supports community centered development activities throughout Ethiopia and Seabee projects are a great way to strengthen the relationship between Ethiopia and the United States”.

The Seabees are expected to complete the Addis Ababa project in late September 2007. Future Seabee projects in the Addis Ababa area include additional school construction in other local neighborhoods.

Photo - U.S. Navy Construction Electrician First Class (Seabee Combat Warfare) Micheal J. Duranko (left), leads the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Donald Yamamoto (right), around the Abiot Emerja Primary School project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. U.S. Navy photo by Construction Apprentice Nick Emanuele.

CJTF-HOA saves lives with medical civic action program

6-Jun-07
by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Carrie Bernard
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs.

GARISSA, Kenya – For the residents of two remote African villages where common colds and cuts can have deadly outcomes, a mobile U.S. military medical team recently brought more than just healthcare – it brought life.

Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa servicemembers conducted a Medical Civic Action Program in the villages of Shimbir and Balich in Kenya through a partnership with the Kenyan Department of Defense which provided additional medical providers and logistical support. The team also received assistance from many other local and government agencies to include the Kenyan Red Cross, USAID, the 489th Civil Affairs Battalion and U.S. Embassy Nairobi personnel.

“These two sites were recommended by the ministry of health due to their lack of medical attention,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Vicente Perez, 350th Civil Affairs Command Functional Specialty Team and MEDCAP mission commander. “In both villages, the locals saw for first time the KDOD, the Red Cross and U.S. representatives helping the communities together.”

While each organization brought its own specialty to the project, everyone involved rallied around the common goal of providing much needed medical care for more than 1,000 men, women and children.

“It’s a lot of hard, physical work preparing for and conducting a MEDCAP. People have to step out of the box and, sometimes, their comfort zones,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dawn Fruits, 350th CACOM Functional Specialty Team first sergeant. “We had an awesome team that really worked well together. It was a team that came together and ensured the people in these remote Kenyan villages received the medical care they needed.”

At each MEDCAP village site, participants were first registered and screened to determine their specific healthcare needs. People with minor concerns, such as scrapes and aches, were directed to the Wound Care and Fast Track stations, respectively, where they were seen by physician assistants and nurses.

“For me personally, the most rewarding thing that I got from this MEDCAP was the fact that I could help people on a much larger level,” said U.S. Army Sgt. John Martie, Delta Company 1/3 senior line medic and Wound Care station lead. “The fact that I could have a huge impact on a person’s life is something I will always appreciate.”

Those patients with more serious or in-depth concerns, such as chest pains or severe coughs, were sent to the Consult station where they were seen by doctors and physician assistants.

“For hundreds of people we were able to clear up skin infections, cure bladder infections, decrease the risk of serious respiratory disease, provide for a healthier pregnancy and give some relief from chronic pain,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) David Burch, CJTF-HOA command surgeon. “There were also several individuals who quite possibly could have died or lost a limb if we had not intervened when we did, such as the 10 year-old with a serious infection around the knee joint, the gentleman with a deep, soft tissue abscess, or the pair of brothers with respiratory illness that was evolving into Pneumonia.”

Once diagnosed, patients picked up their prescriptions at the improvised pharmacy. With about 130 different types of medications valued at more than $50,000, this station required the most time to set-up and organize.

“The most logistically challenging aspect was having the MEDCAP in two locations with no permanent area to set up the pharmacy,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lance Rodgers, 350th CACOM Functional Specialty Team medical team chief. “Everyone pitched in though and we overcame several minor setbacks.”

From the pharmacy, the patients stopped by the Preventive Medicine station where they were given information on items like nutrition and dental care, as well as multivitamins and personal de-worming medication.

“Preventive medicine plays a key role in developing a healthier population,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Pauline Lucas, CJTF-HOA public health officer. “Basic items such as multivitamins and de-worming medications prevent multiple diseases such as Scurvy, Beriberi, Ascariasis and Anemia that are prevalent in this region.”

At this final station, the residents also received mosquito nets for each member of their family, a simple yet possibly life-saving item.

“Malaria causes over a million deaths every year worldwide -- a majority of which are young children in Africa,” said Lucas. “Prevention methods such as using mosquito nets and insect repellents are the best way to minimize if not prevent exposures to insects that carry a variety of vector borne diseases such as Malaria and Yellow Fever; a majority of which are deadly.”

Once armed with education, medications and healthcare items, the local residents returned to their homes, expressing gratitude to the MEDCAP team along the way.

“One of the local people told us that people would remember the MEDCAP for years to come,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alana Conley, 350th CACOM Functional Specialty Team physician assistant. “I think this MEDCAP has given people in the region a positive outlook on the partnership between their government and the United States.”

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn Of Africa began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti on May 13, 2003. The task force’s mission is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The mission is accomplished by partnering with nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects

Photo - Kenyan Department of Defense servicemembers unload medical supplies during a Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Medical Civic Action Program. CJTF-HOA servicemembers conducted the MEDCAP in the villages of Shimbir and Balich in Kenya through a partnership with the Kenyan Department of Defense which provided additional medical providers and logistical support. More than 1,000 people received healthcare as part of the project. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carrie Bernard.

Preventive Medicine Techs Keep Troops Mission-Ready

30-May-07
By Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti — Personnel deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s Camp Lemonier can rest easy knowing that Petty Officer 2nd Class Abran Gonzales and Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Ashe of the Seth Michaud Expeditionary Medical Force, are doing routine health and sanitation inspections around camp to keep them healthy and happy.

Gonzalez and Ashe, preventive medicine technicians, took a break from their corpsman responsibilities May 16 to do a monthly inspection of the dining facility. The inspection consisted of looking for sanitation and hygiene concerns, proper food handling and correct food temperatures.

“Food is a big part of our daily lives here, so it’s important the personnel are getting the best food possible so they can remain healthy, happy and mission ready,” said Gonzales. Their attention to this matter gives personnel piece of mind, he said. “When they go into the dining facility the only thing they need to worry about is what they want to eat, not whether the food was prepared, cooked or stored properly. … We do what we do because their health is what matters most to us,” he said.

Their diligence in this matter keeps customers mission-ready. “We want to reduce the risk of serious diseases from making their way into the human body and establishments, so if our efforts are making a difference then we’re doing something great, and I am proud to be a part such an important mission,” said Ashe.

The inspections also help the dining facility staff see the little things that sometimes get lost in the shuffle during a 23-hour day. “The knowledge we have and the knowledge they have help us better serve the customers here,” said Alaa Hassan, food service area supervisor.

The PMTs conduct health and sanitation checks at the camp Burger King, the latrines, showers, beauty and barber shop, The Post and Base Exchange, laundry rooms, swimming pool, tents and the Coffee Cafe. They also conduct bacteria and E.coli testing, and water surveillance on the wells both on base and in town.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa is a unit of U.S. Central Command. The organization conducts operations and training to assist partner nations to combat terrorism in order to establish a secure environment and enable regional stability. More than 1,800 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, Coalition forces and partner nations make up the CJTF-HOA organization. The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Photo - Petty Officer 2nd Class Abran Gonzalez, a preventive medicine technician, inspects food containers inside the Bob Hope Dining Facility, Djibouti, Africa, to ensure they are not dented or expired, and that they are being stored at the correct temperature, May 16, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy.

German Navy Detachment Donates Vehicles

May 23, 2007
By U.S. Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson
Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa.

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti - Though their unit may be low in numbers, the men and women of the German Naval Logistics Detachment are large in impact.

The German Naval Logistics Detachment in Djibouti supports many missions to the Djiboutian government and, in working with Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, integrates their capabilities to support the Global War on Terror.

“All vehicles being donated will be thoroughly inspected before being turned over to the local government”, said Commander Otto. The inspection will be carried out by the German Advisory Group who works here in Djibouti to assist the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Each German unit, that is stationed here, finds it a source of personal pride to help improve the quality of life for the Djiboutian people. One of the many tasks for the German advisory group is to assist in the training of the Djibouti Police to maintain cars and develop a radio network throughout Djibouti. The detachment also is equipped to provide water purification and decompression chamber services to coalition members located in the Djibouti region. Additionally, the unit provides logistic support to the German Navy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and acts as a liaison between the local government and forces located in Djibouti.

Another capability brought by the German detachment is a state of the art water purification system. The water purification system or ‘Water Buffalo”, provides a huge advantage to any unit located in areas where water must be purified before consumption. This particular water buffalo can produce up to 400 gallons of potable water every hour. Its mobility via air and land means that it can be taken to any water source, sea water or ground water, and convert undrinkable water into fresh water via a mono-filtration system.

Having a Naval coalition force in this region is very important to the overall capabilities of the forces assigned to OEF, said Commander Otto. A rarely used, but extremely important support capability, is a Navy diver on call 24 hours a day if needed for deep-sea search and rescue operations. The German detachment has a portable decompression chamber with an operator on call when needed. The chamber is available to anyone within the coalition for any diving-related emergency. It’s large enough to support one patient, one doctor, one assistant, and one operator.

In addition to emergency medical support to coalition forces, the German detachment provides morale opportunities for personnel rotating through the Port of Djibouti. The men and women assigned to the German detachment usually spend three to four months in Djibouti. This is time spent away from their families and homes as part of OEF. The ships docking at the pier in Djibouti stop to refit have only a few comforts before going back out to sea. So, morale services such as internet and phone connections are located at the pier to help families stay in contact during long deployments.

The German Naval Detachment has accomplished many great deeds in support of the coalition forces assigned to OEF and the country of Djibouti. The continued support towards the Djiboutian government demonstrates their support to the peoples of Djibouti and support in helping to build a stable economic structure for the future.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Photo - German Navy Logistic Detachment Cmdr. Hans-Jörg W. Otto and U.S. Navy Capt. Robert P. Wright, Director of Communications for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, tours the hyperbaric chamber with members of the Strategic Communications staff. Official U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Clinton C. Beaird.

Service Organization Offers support

21 May 2007
Story by Angela Scherbenske
CJTF-HOA.

MPEKETONI, Kenya - The 489th Civil Affairs team is distributing nearly 50 cases of supplies it recently received from the Spirit of America Organization to the the Mpeketoni Lake Kenyatta Primary School in Mpeketoni, Kenya.

The CA team recently conducted a village assessment and met with the local leaders in Mpeketoni. During their assessment, the CA team found the Lake Kenyatta Primary School building well taken care of and in good condition. However, the head teacher of the school said his students were in need of supplies.

Spirit of America donated items such as school supplies, soccer balls, toothbrushes and toothpaste, backpacks, and soccer ball pumps to the 489th CA team, which is assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.

“We are very thankful for the supplies Spirit of America has sent us. They are helping us (CJTF-HOA) develop relationships that will further the partnerships of the Kenyan and United States governments,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Hicks.

Besides building partnerships, Hicks said gifts from non-military organizations does wonders to increase a favorable attitude from the people of Kenya.

“Many of the children are grateful to receive the school supplies,” said Hicks. “These supplies will help the children learn more efficiently and hopefully some of them will use their education to make Kenya a better place.”

The CA team handed out packs of papers and other school supplies to the children there. Hicks said the head teacher was very thankful for the gifts from the CJTF-HOA members.

“It is the support of organizations, such as Spirit of America, which allows CJTF-HOA to assist a greater number of individuals in the host nation,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kris Hesselbrock. “Often financial restrictions or requirements do not allows us to have extra funding for expendables like school supplies. So, with the additional help from American service organizations, we are able to meet the extra needs of the children in the Horn of Africa.”

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Joint Task Force Showers Orphans With Supplies and Smiles

African babies, patients receive clothing, crutches, companionship.

By Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs.

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, May 17, 2007 — An Army general and personnel from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa visited a local baby orphanage and hospital in Djibouti City, May 5, 2007, to donate 28 boxes of baby clothes and hospital equipment.

At the orphanage, Army Brig. Gen. Keith Thurgood, 337th Theater Support Command deputy commanding general, and the other military personnel held, fed and played with the 50 babies who live there.

The babies enjoy the attention, the nurses appreciate the help, and the HOA personnel enjoy being able to provide some tender loving care to even the littlest people of Djibouti.

“This is a great opportunity for us to take a break from our daily commitments and give a little bit of ourselves to the babies of the orphanage, whether it’s feeding, holding or simply making the little ones smile,” said CJTF-HOA Command Chief Master Sgt. John Harris.

And it’s the smiles on their small faces that keep Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Rivera proud to be a part of this mission.

“These children are great and they really enjoy it when we come by and spend some time with them,” he said. “They may not be able to tell us how grateful they are, but the smiles on their faces say it for them.”

According to Army Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, CJTF-HOA deputy commander, the future impact of this small gesture could be enormous.

“The future of Djibouti is right in my arms,” he said. “How well we take care of Djibouti and its neighbors today will determine the future of this area.

“In 10-20 years, this gesture and the ones to follow will be remembered and they will know the U.S. cares about what happens to them,” said Holman.

And even though 10-20 years is a long way off, the caregivers at the orphanage are grateful today for the outpouring of generosity the U.S. military continues to show the orphanage.

“We are very thankful to the U.S. military for the amount of clothes they brought with them today,” said Delphine Cey, French nurse at the orphanage. “With so many children, we go through a lot of clothes, so it’s better to have too many clothes than not enough.”

Donating clothes to the orphanage wasn’t the only good deed of the day, the military members also donated some much-needed supplies to a local hospital. Some of the items donated were walkers, crutches and chair commodes.

“These items will help sustain their hospital and give patients exactly what they need to get back on their feet after an illness or injury,” said Army Master Sgt. Ethan Hughes, 377 Theater Security Cooperation’s Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center.

According to Army Lt. Col. Paul VanBreemen, Bravo Company, 489th Civil Affairs, the best part about doing good deeds is the message it sends to the community at large.

“Today we made a positive impact on the baby orphanage and hospital, but our gesture will soon spread throughout this community reminding the Djiboutians that as a military force we are doing positive things for this area,” he said. “Every donation we do, big or small, is one step closer to helping Africans help Africa.”

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa is a unit of United States Central Command. The organization conducts operations and training to assist partner nations to combat terrorism in order to establish a secure environment and enable regional stability. More than 1,800 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, Coalition forces and partner nations make up the CJTF-HOA organization. The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Photo Caption: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Rivera, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, has his hands full during a visit to a Djiboutian orphanage, May 5, 2007. Several military members brought boxes of clothing and medical equipment to the orphans. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carrie Bernard.

CJTF-HOA members donate time, supplies and compassion to orphanage

14 May 2007
Story by U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Chris Grinage
CJTF-HOA.

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti – Nestled in a remote and unassuming part of the city, a local Djibouti City orphanage awaits the arrival of members from Camp Lemonier. The children who live at the orphanage are in need of supplies, donations, and most important of all…love and affection.

Prior to the group’s departure from the base chapel, the seven volunteers made up of U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marines, made last-minute preparations for their trip to the orphanage by loading up supplies. The supplies were donated by both camp members and from a Marine master sergeant’s hometown friends who organized a donation drive to provide the children with gifts of goodwill and compassion.

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Barry “Bart” Bartasavich is one of many Camp Lemonier inhabitants who ask family and friends at home to help generate donations for the local orphanages.

“My friend Anne Hanner from back home in Dubois, Pennsylvania helped me organize the donations for toys, bottles, baby items and cash. The orphanage cannot accept cash, so I had to visit a local store and purchase supplies with the money they gave me,” said Bartasavich.

As the bus departed Camp Lemonier, the seven volunteers carried on different conversations amongst themselves. In time, the multiple conversations became about answering the obvious one of “what can I expect?” for those who had never visited the orphanage.

Some in the group were “veterans” and explained to the “rookies” what to expect. Bartasavich, being the senior veteran of the group, explained to the others the order of operations.

“We only have 90 minutes, so the priority is to give the babies their bottles first and then move on to feed the toddlers,” he said.

Once the group arrived at the orphanage their tenor changed from curiosity to excitement. As the bus rolled through the gates, the group was greeted by the older children who were all engaged in football (soccer), the national pastime. There wasn’t a face without a smile or a quizzical look, as if to say, “are you coming here to help the little ones?”

Finally, after positioning the bus and coming to a stop, all the donated gifts were immediately presented to the head nurse. For the volunteers, they were all ready and anxious to pick up and feed the now wide-awake babies and newborns.

In a matter of minutes the babies were being cared for and fed with prearranged bottles of formula. Some of the babies couldn’t get the bottles fast enough and barely left time for the periodic burping that helps babies avoid discomfort from taking in a bottle too fast.

Some volunteers were privileged enough to feed a child who kept down the food recently consumed, while others experienced the opposite reaction. All was taken in stride and the babies were fed in record time. As Bartasavich was feeding a baby, his favorite girl Zam Zam saw him and wasted no time scurrying over to him for a kiss and to say “nabad,” meaning hello.

“Zam Zam is my girl,” Bartasavich proudly proclaimed. “She is one of the many reasons I come here as often as possible each week. Any time I put her down and don’t pay any attention to her she lets me know she is not happy in her own special way.”

Witnessing the bond between Bartasavich and Zam Zam would turn the coldest heart into a warm one.

Some of the volunteers managed to feed two babies each before moving on to the toddlers. Many of the toddlers darted about on the floor via their four-wheeled “go-carts” with a speed and ease that would make most race car drivers envious.

The toddlers were extremely adept at using these “go-carts” as an effective attention getter by ramming them into the volunteers’ legs, as if saying “tag, you are mine.” The tactic worked well as the volunteers got the subtle hint and wisely opted to feed their respective ‘Mario Andretti.’

Feeding the toddlers was a study in abstract art. Some children were kept very clean and managed to get most of the food in them, others seemed to enjoy the fact that the food was on them and made them like a portable grocery store from which to choose the food of their fancy at a later time.

While being fed, the toddlers seemed to know the routine better than the veterans and rookies and spared no feelings, or eardrums, by letting the volunteers know when they had enough of the main course and wanted to waste no more time in delaying dessert.

Dessert smelled wonderful to the children. It was a mixture of bananas and milk that they couldn’t get in them fast enough. Each volunteer enjoyed their time and was able to experience the unbridled joy in keeping up with the “supply and demand curves” of a child who knows what they want and how to get it.

As with all good things, time marched on and it was time for the volunteers to depart for the camp, but not before cleaning up the toddlers and placing them back into their go-carts.

With bellies and hearts full of food and attention, the babies drifted off to sleep and toddlers chased balls and each other, happier for the brief time they spent with the volunteers.

As the group departed the orphanage, the older children were still engaged in a never-ending game of football. However, all paused from their game to wave and take chase after the bus with smiles only a child can truly communicate a “thank you.” The bus ride back to the camp was relaxed, with a calmness that comes from having experienced one of nature’s purest gifts…the unquestioning love that only a child can give.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Barry Bartasavich spends a moment with Zam Zam, one of children at a Djibouti City orphanage. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Randi Marble).

Liaison Officer Builds Cohesive Relationship

Egyptian major smoothes the way for task force in Africa.

By Angela Scherbenske
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, May 11, 2007 — Working to build a cohesive relationship with the host nation while at Camp Lemonier is the role of Egyptian liaison officer Maj. Osama Selim, a member of the Egyptian military who is temporarily assigned to CJTF-HOA.

Selim said he supports the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa mission by providing the members here information and a professional perspective regarding the different African countries.

“Major Selim’s ability to effectively communicate with the local population and to convey back professional expertise to the members of CJTF-HOA has allowed for a greater mission effect that has brought us into a whole new realm of success and cooperation,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Erich Schneider, of the task force’s strategic communications directorate.

Acting in a variety of capacities, Selim helps teach Americans the Arabic language, communicates with the local population as a translator and liaison and assists in translating articles into Arabic to convey to the people in Djibouti the good work that CJTF-HOA is doing here in Djibouti and the Horn of Africa.

“When you go downtown, having an individual like Major Selim smoothes the way allowing us to build cohesive relationships with the host nation,” said U.S. Army Maj. Randy George, of the task force’s strategic communications directorate.

While doing work throughout the host nation, Selim said he is glad to be a part of the mission that CJTF-HOA is doing here and also to see the happiness in the peoples’ eyes whom the task force assists.

“He communicates with the elders here and best assesses the level of community acceptance for a project CJTF-HOA is doing,” said U.S. Navy Chief Juan Jones, also of the strategic communications directorate. “He is able to offer and communicate to the members of CJTF-HOA positive and negative feedback regarding projects which are being done here.”

Providing a different perspective for these projects for the members of task force and learning new aspects of coordinating projects are some of the gains that Selim said he has received from working at Camp Lemonier.

“Major Selim is helpful with planning and coordinating projects because he understands the cultural norms here and is able to identify the needs here,” said George.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Airmen continue humanitarian efforts in Djibouti

8 May 2007
Story by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Greg Bluethmann
Det. 4, Air Force News Agency

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (AFNEWS) – Nearly two hundred Airmen deployed to Africa provide airlift support for humanitarian aid to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa mission.

Providing peace and stability to the region is the main objective for the CJTF-HOA mission and the services try to accomplish this by winning the hearts and minds of natives who live in the Horn of Africa.

"One of the biggest things we do in this AOR is actually try to change peoples opinions that are there because of what they've been told about Americans, now our goal is to get out there as Americans and let them experience who we are and what we are" said Chief Master Sergeant John Harris, the command chief for the CJTF-HOA AOR.

Servicemembers in the region try to accomplish this by going out into the community and volunteering their time. English discussion groups are one of the programs Americans support that foster a good working relationship with their host nation.

"The English Discussion Group is basically a way for us to interact with the Africans, and be able to establish a community relations program" said Senior Master Sgt. Sylvester Shaw, the English Discussion Group coordinator for Camp Lemonier. "We at Camp Lemonier are able to provide the manpower through volunteers to come out and listen to the African students as they practice their English."

Another vital mission the Air Force supports in the region is search and rescue operations for all branches. C-130 Hercules maintainers play a vital role in this mission to keep the HC-130Ps ready to go on a moment's notice.

"We provide the maintenance to keep the C-130s in the air. We're on 24-hour alert, to answer the call" said Master Sergeant Patrick Melady, the HC-130P/N production supervisor.

"Coming out here without knowing what you're doing would make it a little harder," said Senior Airman Michael Ruehrwein, an instrument and flight controls technician for the C-130.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa is a unit of United States Central Command. The organization's mission is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect Coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. More than 1,500 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, Coalition forces and Partner nations make up the organization. The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Photo: Djiboutians crowd a classroom to participate in an English discussion group session. The U.S. Embassy started the program, but they rely heavily on support from service members stationed on Camp Lemonier to make the program a success. The English discussion groups are just one of the programs Americans use to foster community relations with their host nation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Daren Reehl)

Somalia Insurgency Gains Strength

Source: CounterTerrorismBlog.

By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
April 16, 2007.

The insurgency in Somalia continues to gain strength as attacks have increased throughout the country, and fighting has returned to Mogadishu. A Hawiye clan-brokered ceasefire collapsed on Wednesday of last week in the face of clashes between Ethiopian troops and insurgent forces aligned with the fundamentalist Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The situation has become so dire that Somali deputy prime minister Hussein Aidid has likened it to "another Iraq."

The SITE Institute reports that a faction known as the Young Mujahideen Movement posted a communiqué claiming responsibility for attacks targeting Somali government officials -- including Ibrahim Shaweye, Mogadishu's deputy mayor for security, and Mohamed Nor Qalaad, the deputy mayor for finance. The group had earlier released a video on March 26 claiming credit for a suicide car bomb attack in Mogadishu that killed Ethiopian troops. The Young Mujahideen Movement's statements have been distributed by the Global Islamic Media Front, which has had a strong relationship with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

The United States has finally begun to show some interest in the deteriorating situation. For the first time in over a decade, a top U.S. official traveled to Somalia to meet with the transitional federal government (TFG). Assistant secretary of state for African affairs Jendayi Frazer met with Somali president Abdullahi Yusuf, and reported that they "talked about the need for a cease-fire . . . and the return to a political process to try and build support and legitimacy for the transitional federal government and to isolate the extremists."

While this trip is a positive development, far more attention to Somalia is needed. The insurgency shows no signs of losing steam; innocent Somali citizens are being killed and displaced constantly. The TFG still isn't receiving the aid it needs to pay its soldiers and government officials, and to begin to stabilize the country. High-level American intelligence sources have told me that the ICU may intend to recapture Mogadishu by the end of the summer. The situation in Somalia is not yet lost, but the window of opportunity to take positive action is rapidly drawing shut.

Kyle Dabruzzi contributed research to this analysis.

If you would like to trackback this article, please do so at Counter Terrosism Blog.

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://counterterrorismblog.org/mt/pings.cgi/3880

Combined Task Force Ensures Recovery for Burn Victim

By Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.

RIBTA, Djibouti, April 2, 2007 — A 6-year-old Djiboutian girl is doing well after being treated by members of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa for burns to her hands.

The girl was initially treated March 8, by members of the North Carolina-based 1132nd Engineer Detachment (Well Drillers) attached to the task force. Army Staff Sgt. William Brown, the team medic, was among the first to assess and treat her. According to Brown, the severity of the burn and the appearance of infection were of primary concern.

“My initial concern was the size of her arm and the severity of the burns to her entire arm. She felt no pain, and it looked severely infected,” said Brown.

The North Carolina Guard members promised Ribta villagers they would return with a doctor to check on the girl’s progress. About a week later, they brought Navy Lt. Cmdr. Samantha Grillo, an orthopedic surgeon from the task force’s Expeditionary Medical Force to check on their patient.

Grillo was happy with what she saw. “Because the well-drillers were able to provide the initial cleaning, bandaging, and transport to the hospital in Obock, Djibouti, for antibiotics, the girl’s injuries did not progress to anything that was a life- or limb-threatening injury.”

“She looks like a happy, healthy little girl, quite different from the photos. I was happy to see that the condition of her hand was healing so well,” said Grillo. The surgeon conducted some hand-gripping tests for strength and gave some additional medications to ensure the healing process continues.

The mother of the little girl was overjoyed to see the level of care and speed of recovery to her daughter’s hand. The area on her left hand that had been burned is completely healed, with a slight difference in the pigmentation of the skin.

“Smiles and giggles were the show of the day, and to see the appreciation from the villagers made it all worth it,” said Sgt. 1st Class Danny Hunter.

Sgt. Phillip Lawing and Sgt. 1st Class William Brown were part of the team that initially provided first aid to the little girl’s hand, along with transporting her and her family to the hospital in Obock.

“It’s simply amazing the speed in which her hand healed,” Lawing said, “because it was swollen and stiff with infection the first time I saw her.”

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, on May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.

Photo: A 6-year-old girl moves her arm that is healing from a burn, to show its range of motion and motor skills in Ribta, Djibouti, March 19. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jerord E. Wilson.

Proof of a Positive Impact in Gode, Ethiopa

This post has been moved to Rosemary's Thoughts and Rosemary's News and Ideas..

Please follow me over to Rosemary's Thoughts where I am now posting everything at one site.