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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

A non-commissioned officer with the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) instructs a new recruit at a training site outside Djibouti City, July 3, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

Members of the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) perform a traditional Afar dance during a celebration for new RIB graduates at a training site outside Djibouti City, June 28, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

Members of the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) perform a traditional Somali dance during a celebration for new RIB graduates at a training site outside Djibouti City, June 28, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

U.S. Army Spc. Travis Flynn, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, celebrates with members of the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) following a celebration for new RIB graduates at a training site outside Djibouti City, June 28, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

A non-commissioned officer with the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) instructs a new recruit at a training site outside Djibouti City, July 3, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

Non-commissioned officers with the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) instruct new recruits at a training site outside Djibouti City, July 3, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

A non-commissioned officer with the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) and U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Martinez, Bravo Co., 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard, instruct new recruits at a training site outside Djibouti City, July 3, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

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CJTF-HOA Reinforces Commitment to Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Battalion

Members of the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa attend a celebration for new RIB graduates at a training site outside Djibouti City, June 28, 2018. The RIB is a U.S. Army trained unit that was formed to respond to crises and promote regional security and stability in East Africa. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy M. Ahearn)

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Photo by: Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Ahearn 

DJIBOUTI— One-hundred twelve Djiboutian soldiers joined the ranks of the Djiboutian Army’s Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) following a graduation ceremony, June 28.

During the ceremony, top performing soldiers were recognized, traditional Afar and Somali dances were performed, and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and RIB leaders spoke to the men. U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Yovich, CJTF-HOA Director of Future Operations, congratulated the graduates during his remarks.

"This training and collaborative effort only make our bonds stronger; I appreciate your hard work and dedication and I applaud you for this accomplishment." said Yovich.

Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division assigned to CJTF-HOA provided training in U.S. Army basic warrior tasks, U.S. Army combatives, and combat life-saving. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Fort spoke to the RIB soldiers he trained following their culminating exercise.

“Where you are now, are leaps and bounds from where you began.” said Fort, “I encourage you to train on your own and I am proud of every one of you.”

CJTF-HOA’s continued commitment to training and equipping the RIB enables Djibouti’s effectiveness in developing security and stability within its’ borders and East Africa, according to Marine Corps Capt. Aaron Baker, CJTF-HOA Officer in Charge of RIB Operations.

“The development of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB) holds significant strategic value in the long lasting partnership between the U.S. forces and the Djiboutian military.” said Baker.

Set apart from the first training cycle of the RIB, this group included previous graduates instructing alongside U.S. Soldiers.

“The RIB Soldiers are extremely motivated to learn U.S. tactics and techniques.” said Baker, “I have witnessed their Non-Commissioned Officers blossom since the initiation of the RIB and take on additional teaching and instructional procedures.”

The RIB’s mission is to serve as a reactionary force to accomplish specified tasks directed by their higher command in the Djiboutian army. Djiboutian Army Cpt. Omar Ali Hassan, Commanding Officer of the RIB, spoke of his men’s enhanced understanding of that mission.

“The battalion has a better idea of why they are here and through that are more cohesive.” said Hassan, “They are very motivated and looking forward to the rest of their training.”

CJTF-HOA works to facilitate U.S. Africa Command’s programs and activities to support the development of capable, professional partner nation military forces to include Africa Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership, a Presidentially-supported initiative to develop the rapid response capabilities of selected African partners and provide the training and equipping for rapid response development, engineering, medical, and command and control.