1:49 PM6/18/2020

12:13 PM6/18/2020

Russia's introduction of manned, armed attack aircraft into Libya changes the nature of the current conflict and intensifies the potential of risk to all Libyans, especially innocent civilians.

12:00 AM6/18/2020

These Russian aircraft are being used to support private military companies (PMCs) sponsored by the Russian government. “We know these fighters were not already in Libya and being repaired,” said Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command. “Clearly, they came from Russia. They didn’t come from any other country.”

12:00 AM6/18/2020

These Russian aircraft are being used to support private military companies (PMCs) sponsored by the Russian government. A MiG-29 was photographed operating in the vicinity of the city of Sirte, Libya. The Spoon Rest is a Russian-made, mobile early warning radar system, designed to provide tactical support to military activities. Russia uses this system when deployed to a nation in the conduct of tactical combat operations.

11:18 AM6/12/2020

(from left) U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Larry André, met with Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of the Republic of Djibouti, and other senior leaders of the East Africa nation in early June. During the visit Townsend recognized Djibouti’s successful COVID-19 response and congratulated President Guelleh for his nation’s feat in containing the pandemic spread.

10:49 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meet with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Larry André; Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Djibouti Minister of Defense, Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan; and Djibouti National Army Brig. Gen. Tahir Ali Mohamed, headquarters chief of staff of Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), at Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ), Djibouti, June 8, 2020.

10:49 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meet with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Larry André; Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Djibouti Minister of Defense, Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan; and Djibouti National Army Brig. Gen. Tahir Ali Mohamed, headquarters chief of staff of Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), at Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ), Djibouti, June 8, 2020.

10:48 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), meet with U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, Larry André; Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; Djibouti Minister of Defense, Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan; and Djibouti National Army Brig. Gen. Tahir Ali Mohamed, headquarters chief of staff of Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD), at Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ), Djibouti, June 8, 2020.

10:20 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, presents the oldest and youngest Soldiers in the command to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday during a joint ceremony at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Jun. 11. “As the Senior American Soldier in Europe and Africa, it’s an honor to wish a Happy Birthday to America’s first service, the U.S. Army,” Townsend said.

10:20 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, smartly moves out to present the saber to be used in a cake-cutting tradition to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday during a joint ceremony at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Jun. 11. The U.S. Army was founded on June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year, according to the U.S. Army Center of Military History.

10:20 AM6/12/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wields a saber with the oldest and youngest Soldiers in the command in a cake-cutting tradition to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 245th birthday during a joint ceremony at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Jun. 11. “As the Senior American Soldier in Europe and Africa, it’s an honor to wish a Happy Birthday to America’s first service, the U.S. Army,” Townsend said.

3:15 PM6/11/2020

As part of the tradition, Townsend was accompanied by the youngest and by the oldest Soldiers to help cut the cake. The youngest Soldier symbolizes the future of the U.S. Army, while the oldest Soldier symbolizes its history.

2:17 PM6/11/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, met with Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of the Republic of Djibouti, and other senior leaders of the East African nation this week. This was Townsend’s first trip abroad since the coronavirus pandemic unfolded.

11:12 AM6/9/2020

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Turello, outgoing commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), addresses the audience during a socially distanced change of command ceremony, June 8, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Turello will next serve as a special assistant to the Director of the National Guard Bureau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)

11:12 AM6/9/2020

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, incoming commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), speaks during a socially distanced change of command ceremony, June 8, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Flora thanked the audience for attending and encouraged CJTF-HOA members to embrace the changes that inevitably will come to the command over the course of the next year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)

11:12 AM6/9/2020

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, passes the command guidon to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, incoming commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), during a socially distanced change of command ceremony, June 8, 2020, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Flora previously served as the U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ashley Nicole Taylor)