Camp Lemonnier: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of US Military Forces Arrival

Source: US Africom – By Senior Airman Destani Matheny, Combined Joint Task Force – Djibouti, U.S. celebrate relationships with Partner Appreciation Day

Coalition and joint service members from the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa participated in a Partner Appreciation Day event [last month] Nov. 10, 2022, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. (…)

The goal of the event was to celebrate the U.S.’ two-decades long commitment to allies and partners in East Africa on the 20th anniversary of the arrival of U.S. military troops in the region following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I’m very excited for everyone to be here, because it’s a tremendous opportunity, not only to commemorate and celebrate a 20 year milestone in this friendship, this is more than just a moment in time as we look forward to this enduring relationship,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of CJTF-HOA. “Following the heinous attacks on 9/11, the United States desperately needed a friend here. And Djibouti was that friend, and the French forces extended a hand and they remain so today.”

Camp Lemonnier began as a partnership between the country of Djibouti and the French Foreign Legion Forces. It is now a forward operating site and the only enduring U.S. military base on the continent of Africa.  (…)

During the event, service members from Spain, Italy, France, Japan and the U.S. showcased equipment, aircraft and vehicles with interactive displays. The event also included a flyover by French and U.S. aircraft to further showcase U.S. partners’ military capabilities and commitment to peace and prosperity in Africa. (…)

Read Full Article >>> https://www.africom.mil/article/34912/djibouti-us-celebrate-relationships-with-partner-appreciation-day

Photo 1 © U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Destani Matheny

[Editor’s Note: A year earlier, on September 11th, 2021, a ceremony was held at Camp Lemonnier to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11:
the Patriot’s Day ceremony included a combined flyover with French and US air assets deployed in Djibouti.
The slideshow below highlights this joint flyover as a reminder.]

A U.S. KC-130J Super Hercules, with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and two French Dassault Mirage 2000’s perform a combined flyover with during a Patriot’s Day ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2021, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 © U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka

A U.S. KC-130J Super Hercules, with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and two French Dassault Mirage 2000’s perform a combined flyover with during a Patriot’s Day ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2021, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 © U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka

A U.S. KC-130J Super Hercules, with Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and two French Dassault Mirage 2000’s perform a combined flyover with during a Patriot’s Day ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2021, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001 © U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dereck White 6)

French Air Force Dassault Mirages 2000 fly along side a KC-130J assigned to Marine Air Refueler Transport Squadron-234 over East Africa, Sept. 11, 2021 © U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom

A French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000 is refueled by a KC-130J assigned to Marine Air Refueler Transport Squadron-234 over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2021. © U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom

A French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000 flies alongside a KC-130J assigned to Marine Air Refueler Transport Squadron-234 over Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 11, 2021. © U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom