Service members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa are scheduled to assist the government of Uganda in conducting search and recovery operations of human remains and the flight data recorder from the wreckage an Ilyushin 76 aircraft that crashed on March 9 in Lake Victoria.

All 11 people aboard the Soviet-era cargo aircraft died when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Entebbe International Airport, near Kampala, Uganda.

The aircraft, en route to Mogadishu, Somalia, was carrying 16 tons of cargo, including tents and water-purification equipment for African Union peacekeeping troops there.
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda and the government of Uganda requested U.S. military assistance in recovery operations at the crash site.

The mission of CJTF-HOA is to conduct unified action with local military forces and government representatives in the Horn of Africa to prevent conflict, promote regional stability, and protect Coalition interests in order to prevail against extremist activities.

The service members of CJTF-HOA, headquartered in Djibouti, focus on fostering regional security capacity, improving maritime security and safety, and developing military leaders through professional military education and training. The Task Force’s goals contribute to United States Government efforts to help Africans solve African challenges. The Task Force is part of U.S. Africa Command.