Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and community. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving deployed together across East Africa, let's pause for a moment to give thanks for a few of the blessings we all share.

I am thankful today for the privilege to lead and serve with our unrivaled Joint team of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. As I travel around the region and meet with senior military leaders, I frequently hear about the professionalism and dedication of CJTF-HOA service members. YOU are the most important component to accomplishing our mission. I challenge you to continue to uphold the impeccable personal and professional standards in accordance with our military values and to build and sustain the vital relationships that are essential to our future.

I also give thanks for the friends, families, and loved ones at home who all shoulder more than their fair share of the burden of our service. Their attention to the myriad of issues on the home front underwrites every single one of our successes. No one goes through this life alone, and this is a great time to recognize those people who support us in both small ways and large ones.

While there are so many different things for each of us to be thankful for, I'd like to conclude with the observation that millions of Americans will gather around their Thanksgiving tables and say thanks for YOU and your service to the nation. They are thankful for the peace of mind provided by the blanket of security you afford them. They thank you for embodying the best of our nation. They thank you for being the ones who raised a hand and said, "I'll do it."

And to their thanks, I add my own. Thank you for being a part of our Combined, Joint team of professionals. It is an incredible privilege to serve with you. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Respectfully,

MG Ralph (Rob) Baker, USA
Commander, Combined JTF-Horn of Africa
Djibouti, Africa