Soldier earns direct commission, gives back to his new country
3:48 PM3/5/2015
The U.S. is known as “the land of opportunity.” American history has many stories of people who immigrated with little or nothing in search of a better life. For one man, the tales of the American dream inspired him to do just that.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby, Jr., Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Commanding General, administers the officer’s oath to 2nd Lt. Komi Afetse, a U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Soldier deployed to CJTF-HOA, during a ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb 14, 2015. Afetse immigrated to the U.S. from Togo and received his commission through the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Accession program, or direct commission (courtesy photo)
2nd Lt. Komi Afetse, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Ambassador Dawn Liberi, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, pose for a photo during the 239th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration in Bujumbura, Burundi, Nov. 8, 2014. Afetse immigrated to the U.S. from Togo, and earned his commission through the Army Reserve Officer Accession Program on Feb. 14, 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Allison Pittam/Released)
United Kingdom Defence Academy students learn role, mission of U.S. Africa Command
9:11 AM3/5/2015
“We just had an event we called the Africa Strategic Dialogue, where we created an opportunity to spend time with counterparts from the State Department to discuss respective priorities, and to find ways to work more efficiently and effectively in
U.S. Amb. to the European Union, Amb. Anthony Gardner (right) and AFRICOM’s Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagements, Amb. Phillip Carter, pose for a photo. Gardner spent the day with AFRICOM staff experts. The visit provides an opportunity to facilitate greater cooperation with the EU in Africa. (U.S. Africa Command photo by Brenda Law/Released)
NAPLES, Italy (March. 2, 2015) Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Adm. James Foggo, III, welcomes Gabon navy Chief Rear Adm. Yves Keba Malekou as he arrives for the 2015 Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) Flag Course Africa at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, March 2, 2015. During this weeklong CFMCC course, facilitated by the U.S. Naval War College, 33 senior naval leaders from maritime countries in Europe and Africa will participate in seminars and discussions focusing on the effective employment of naval forces in a joint, coalition or interagency environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel P. Schumacher/Released)
Military Naval leaders gather for week long maritime summit
4:22 PM3/3/2015
U.S. Naval course brings 33 naval leaders from Africa and Europe to discuss maritime issues of mutual concern in effort to improve war-fighting capability.
A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk from the 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepares to take off after conducting a casualty evacuation drill during a bilateral training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral close air support exercise between the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
Joint terminal attack controllers from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force and French 3rd Maine Artillery Regiment observe the exercise during a bilateral close air support training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral CAS exercise between a contingent of MEU Marines and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
Two U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawks from the 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, line their sites on a target called in by U.S. and French joint terminal attack controllers during a bilateral close air support training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral CAS exercise between a contingent of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk assigned to the 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, flies by a group of joint terminal attack controllers during a bilateral training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral close air support exercise between the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
French 3rd Maine Artillery Regiment members provide over watch during a bilateral close air support training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The event was part of a scheduled bilateral CAS exercise between a contingent of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and French soldiers and sailors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Joint Terminal Attack Control members read coordinates during a bilateral close air support training exercise in Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The JTAC members work closely to communicate the best use of air power to provide CAS during military operations. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)
A joint terminal attack controller from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force observes the area below from an Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk during a flight over Arta, Djibouti, Feb. 4, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)