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Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa

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Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa
ActiveOctober 19, 2002–present
Country United States of America
TypeMultiservice (joint) formation
RoleMilitary operations and civil and military capacity building
Size2,000[1]
Part ofUnited States Africa Command[2]
Garrison/HQCamp Lemonnier, Republic of Djibouti
Commanders
Commanding GeneralMajor General Brian T. Cashman
Deputy Commanding OfficerRear Admiral Justin A. Kubu

Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) is a joint task force of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The U.S. War on terror begun after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In October 2002, headquarters elements of the Marine Corps was sent to establish the Task Force in Djibouti. It was initially directly responsible to United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Florida.

The task force mission is to conduct operations in the Combined Joint Operations Area to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests.

CJTF-HOA consists of about 2,000 servicemen and women from the United States Department of Defense and allied countries.[1] In 2012, the task force had an assigned area of interest that included Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Seychelles and Kenya. Outside this Combined Joint Operating Area, the CJTF-HOA has operations in Mauritius, Comoros, Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.[3]

History

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Ethiopian soldiers practice ambush techniques during CJTF-HOA training in December 2006.

CJTF-HOA was established at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on October 19, 2002. In November 2002, personnel embarked to the region aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) and arrived at the Horn of Africa on December 8, 2002. CJTF-HOA operated from the Mount Whitney until May 13, 2003, when the mission moved ashore to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti City, Djibouti.

In April 2004, General John Abizaid, commanding Central Command, said in a DOD press briefing that "there are also about 1,200 of our troops serving in the Horn of Africa, where they've performed duties stationed in Djibouti, but working throughout the Horn of Africa to help regional nations increase their counterterrorist capacity, to share intelligence with them, to gain intelligence on terrorist operations out there."[4]

The task force originally focused on two poles: gathering intelligence and creating goodwill through public works projects.[5] This developed into military-to-military engagements; civil-military operations; key leader engagements; and providing enabling support to African and other sovereign states. CJTF-HOA offered short-term assistance by drilling wells for clean water, building functional schools, improving roadways and improving medical facilities. Long-term goals include working with African and other states to improve national and regional stability and security. The task force runs capacity-building operations such as civil affairs and military-to-military training; engineering and humanitarian support; medical, dental, and veterinarian civic action programs (MEDCAP, DENTCAP, VETCAP); security training for border and coastal areas; and counter-IED training. About 1,800 personnel from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, and representatives from coalition and partner nations make up CJTF-HOA.

Since its establishment, CJTF-HOA personnel have built schools, clinics and hospitals; conducted dozens of MEDCAPs, DENTCAPs and VETCAPs; drilled and refurbished more than 113 water wells; and trained in collaboration with many of the armed forces around the Horn of Africa.

In January 2004, Brigadier General Mastin Robison of the United States Marine Corps, then commanding the Task Force, had support, medical, and admin staff from the Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force, a Marine helicopter detachment of four CH-53 Super Stallions, a U.S. Army infantry company, a U.S. Army Reserve civil affairs company, Navy cargo planes, military engineers, and a special operations unit under his command.[6]

In January 2006, ahead of Rear-Admiral Hunt assuming command, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, Therese Whelan, said she anticipated that under Rear-Admiral Hunt's command, the task force would "concentrate on strengthening maritime security" in the sea lanes along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.[7] At the time, the task force had some responsibility for Yemen, as depicted in a Virginian Pilot Online map.

Members of the Task Force have provided humanitarian assistance. This has included recovery efforts after the collapse of a four-story building in Kenya in 2006, the capsizing of a passenger ferry in Djibouti in 2006, and floods in Ethiopia and Kenya in 2006. Task Force personnel assisted the Government of Uganda in locating and recovering the wreckage of a Russian-built Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane that crashed into Lake Victoria in early 2009.

On October 1, 2008, responsibility for the task force was transferred from the United States Central Command to the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), as the latter assumed authority over the U.S. forces in the region.[2]

The majority of the new task force core staff for Rear-Admiral Brian L. Losey's tour officially began work February 4, 2010. Made up mostly of Navy Individual Augmentees and two Army members, the 59 new core staff members filled the positions of commander, deputy commander, chief of staff, command element commanders and other key positions, including those in remote operating bases in East Africa.[8]

Commanders

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Live-fire exercise for marksmanship and weapons handling in March 2003, part of the CJTF-HOA.
Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi, Chief of Defense for the Somali Armed Forces, walk together into the galley at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (May 2013).
  • November 2002 to August 2003 – United States Marine Corps Major General John F. Sattler (task force headquarters, initially aboard Mount Whitney, was composed of element of headquarters 2nd Marine Division and II MEF.)[9]
  • May 2004 to May 2005 - United States Marine Corps Major General Samuel T. Helland
  • May 17, 2005 to April 12, 2006 – United States Marine Corps Major General Timothy F. Ghormley[10]
  • April 12, 2006 to February 14, 2007 – United States Navy Rear Admiral Richard W. Hunt[11] (at least some headquarters elements drawn from Commander, Carrier Strike Group 6)
  • February 14, 2007 to February 3, 2008 – United States Navy Rear Admiral James M. Hart[12]
  • February 8, 2008 to February 5, 2009 – United States Navy Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr.[13]
  • February 5, 2009 to March 27, 2010 – United States Navy Rear Admiral Anthony Kurta[14][15]
  • March 27, 2010 to May 19, 2011 – United States Navy Rear Admiral Brian L. Losey
  • May 11, 2011 to May 26, 2012 – United States Navy Rear Admiral Michael T. Franken
  • May 26, 2012 to March 28, 2013 – United States Army Major General Ralph O. Baker[16] Baker was relieved of his command due to alcohol and sexual misconduct charges by General Carter Ham, the outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command[17]
  • March 2013 to January 2014 - United States Army Major General Terry Ferrell [18]
  • January 2014 - April 2015 - United States Army Major General Wayne Grigsby, Junior[19]
  • April 2015 - April 2016 - United States Army Major General Mark R. Stammer [20]
  • April 2016 - April 2017 - United States Army Major General Kurt L. Sonntag[21]
  • April 2017 - May 2018 - United States Marine Corps Brigadier General David J. Furness [22]
  • May 2018 - June 2018 - United States Army Brigadier General William L. Zana [23]
  • June 2018 - June 2019 - United States Army Major General James D. Craig [24]
  • June 2019 - June 2020 - United States Army Major General Michael D. Turello [25]
  • June 2020 - May 2021 - United States Army Major General Lapthe C. Flora[26]
  • May 2021 – May 2022 - United States Army Major General William L. Zana[27]
  • May 2022 – April 2024 - United States Army Major General Jami C. Shawley[28]
  • April 2024 – Present - United States Army Major General Brian T. Cashman

Awards

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Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Oct 02 – 31 Mar 04 HQ Combined JTF-Horn of Africa (CENTCOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 04 – 31 Mar 06 Combined JTF-Horn of Africa (CENTCOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 06 – 31 Mar 08 Combined JTF-Horn of Africa (CENTCOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 08 – 31 Mar 10 Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 10 – 31 Mar 12 Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 12 – 31 Mar 14 Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 14 – 31 Mar 17 Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 1 Apr 17 – 30 Sep 18 Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)[29]
Joint Meritorious Unit Award 13 Nov 20 – 16 Jan 21 Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (AFRICOM)[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Africans Fear Hidden U.S. Agenda in New Approach to Africom". Associated Press. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  3. ^ "CJTF-HOA Factsheet". Hoa.africom.mil. Archived from the original on 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  4. ^ Department of Defense mirrored by Globalsecurity.org, Transcript of Central Command briefing, April 30, 2004.
  5. ^ Wiltrout, Kate (2006-06-15). "ARTICLE: In the Horn of Africa, a two-pronged mission (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)". Archived from the original on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
  6. ^ Chris Tomlinson, 'U.S. wages quiet battle in Africa,' Associated Press, in The Washington Times, January 15, 2004
  7. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20060615123938/http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=98421&ran=194309
  8. ^ "Joint Force Core Staff Taking Reins in Horn of Africa". U.S. Africa Command. Archived from the original on 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  9. ^ "USS Mount Whitney Set for Norfolk Return". Military.com. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  10. ^ "United States Marine Corp Biography: Major General Timothy F. Ghormley". United States Marine Corps. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on February 14, 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  11. ^ "United States Navy Biography: Rear Admiral Richard W. Hunt". United States Navy. 2006-06-28. Archived from the original on April 2, 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
  12. ^ "United States Navy Biography: Rear Admiral James M. Hart". United States Navy. 2007-02-21. Archived from the original on April 2, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  13. ^ "United States Navy Biography: Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr". United States Navy. 2008-04-01. Archived from the original on August 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  14. ^ "United States Navy Biography: Rear Admiral Anthony M. Kurta". United States Navy. 2009-02-03. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  15. ^ "CJTF-HOA Under New Command". CJTF-HOA Public Affairs Office. 2009-02-05. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-17.
  16. ^ Baldor, Lolita C. (2013). "Officials: Army general removed over alcohol, sex-related charges". U.S. News on NBCNEWS.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  17. ^ "U.S. News: Latest Breaking Stories, Video, and Photos on American Politics, Economy, and Society".
  18. ^ "MG Thomas James Biography". www.lewis-mcchord.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  19. ^ Reif, Jasmine (14 January 2014). "CJTF-HOA welcomes incoming commanding general". Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  20. ^ (US), Dean, Darrell I TSgt USAF AFRICOM CJTF-HOA PAO. "CJTF-HOA welcomes new commanding general". www.hoa.africom.mil.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "CJTF-HOA welcomes new commander, senior enlisted leader".
  22. ^ "CJTF-HOA welcome new commander, senior enlisted leader". DVIDS.
  23. ^ Mattison, Sarah (7 May 2018). "Transfer of Authority held for CJTF-HOA". Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  24. ^ Mattison, Sarah (16 June 2018). "CJTF-HOA Welcomes New Commander". Retrieved 2018-08-08.
  25. ^ Nickel, Shawn (12 June 2019). "CJTF-HOA holds change of command ceremony". Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  26. ^ McCarthy, Brok (8 June 2020). "CJTF-HOA holds change of command ceremony". Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  27. ^ Brown, Morgan (2021-05-15). "CJTF-HOA welcomes a new commander". dvidshub.net. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  28. ^ Rolen, Lynette (May 16, 2022). "Combined, joint task force in Africa welcomes first female commanding general". CJTF-HOA. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  29. ^ Maher, J. "Joint Staff Permanent Order Number J-1SO-0009-20". twitter.com. The Joint Staff, Washington DC. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  30. ^ "Approved Joint Meritorious Unit Awards Current as of: January 17, 2023" (PDF). prhome.defense.gov. Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Washington DC. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  31. ^ Robinson, Colin D.; and Matisek, Jahara (2021-04-03). "Military advising and assistance in Somalia: fragmented interveners, fragmented Somali military forces". Defence Studies. 21 (2): 181–203. doi:10.1080/14702436.2021.1885976. ISSN 1470-2436.
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