Photo By Sgt. Lark Sine | Service members from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa collaborate with the...... read more read more
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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, alongside Djiboutian, Spanish, Japanese, and French forces, collaborated during the semiannual Bull Shark 25-1 exercise Nov. 25-26, 2024, to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies. The exercise focused on improving multinational coordination, interoperability, and communication to enhance regional security and stability.
A key component of Bull Shark 25-1 was Bull Shark Academics, a series of task- and branch-specific training events aimed at enhancing interoperability and mission readiness among U.S. forces and Djiboutian counterparts. The U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 1 (MSRON 1), stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, worked closely with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard on maritime security and search-and-rescue operations.
“Fostering a working relationship with our maritime partners not only enhances our force protection posture in the Gulf of Tadjoura but also offers us the opportunity to demonstrate how American forces can impact humanitarian and relief efforts globally, placing the safeguarding of life and promoting cooperation above all other mission sets,” said Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Demma, MSRON 1 operations officer.
These sessions also paired U.S. Army personnel with the Djiboutian Rapid Intervention Battalion to focus on ground force maneuvering and crisis response planning. By emphasizing targeted knowledge exchanges in areas such as medical care, communication methods, military maneuvering, security enhancement, and personnel recovery techniques, Bull Shark 25-1 highlighted the value of mutual learning in building a more integrated and effective coalition force."
The main event simulated complex personnel recovery scenarios across land, sea, and air domains. Participants included multiple branches of the U.S. military, the Djiboutian Armed Forces’ Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bataillon d’Intervention Rapide), the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Spanish Navy, and French forces.
“Bull Shark is a multi-domain, multinational interoperability and communication exercise,” said Army Capt. Robert Kawczynski, CJTF-HOA multinational exercise planner. “We focus on personnel recovery operations, including land and maritime rescues, to ensure seamless coordination among partner nations.”
U.S. Air Force pararescue personnel from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron executed a water extraction, coordinating with the Joint Personnel Recovery Center, Djiboutian Navy, Djiboutian Coast Guard, and the Spanish Navy frigate Santa María. The exercise tested communication methods and operational readiness in a multinational setting.
Additional participants tackled a simulated land rescue involving a beach and a mock aircraft crash site. CJTF-HOA’s Task Force Associator joined Djiboutian and Spanish forces to evaluate casualties and execute extractions. An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter provided critical support by hoisting and extracting a simulated casualty.
"Exercise Bull Shark has been a testament to the strength of our partnerships, the dedication of our teams, and our shared commitment to working together toward common goals," said Rear Adm. Justin Kubu, CJTF-HOA deputy commanding officer. "Bull Shark reminds us that we are not alone in facing today’s security challenges. With each of our partners here, your presence and contributions have been invaluable. Your perspectives, expertise, and professionalism have been critical to this exercise, strengthening bonds between all nations. Together we are stronger, more prepared, and more resilient for future crises."
Bull Shark continues to grow in complexity with each iteration, broadening opportunities for partner nations to share expertise and strengthen ties. The exercise plays a vital role in CJTF-HOA’s mission to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, and deter conflict in East Africa.
CJTF-HOA conducts operations to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests, primarily in the East Africa region. The command is critical to U.S. Africa Command's efforts to build partner capacity to counter violent extremists and address other regional security partnerships. Headquartered at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, the command works against malign actors to strengthen collective security forces and respond to crises to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2024 08:42 |
| Story ID: | 486392 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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