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Further Reading

Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa / Djibouti

Since nearly the beginning of Coalition operations in the War on Terrorism, Coalition forces have been operating from Djibouti, providing air facilities for patrol aircraft, a port of call for ships, and a location that some ground personnel were stationed at.

Various Marine Expeditionary Units that may have been present in the area stopped in Djibouti to provide humanitarian support, namely building structures for local populations and in some areas of Kenya as well.

In the Spring of 2002, US Marines and sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) traveled in Djiboutian Army trucks on a dirt road to the village of Hol-Hol, Djibouti, in eastern Africa. Marines and sailors from the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group provided humanitarian assistance to the people there for a week while the remainder of the Group supported Operation Enduring Freedom in the North Arabian Sea.

In the Summer of 2002, reports began to surface that US Special Forces were operating from Djibouti as they took part in anti-terror operations in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. These reports indicated that roughly 800 soldiers were operating from Djibouti, though it is not clear which units are involved.

On October 29, 2002 during a Department of Defense Briefing, General Tommy Franks, head of CENTCOM, confirmed that forces were operating out of Djibouti, though he declined to reveal what exactly the soldiers were doing or where they were operating, but did state that there were already some 800 troops, either ashore or afloat.

Also on October 29th, reports began to surface that indicated that the command elements of the 2nd Marine Division would deploy to Djibouti in support of operations in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

Developments in early November indicated that a command ship, most likely the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) would depart for the region in support of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa passed through the Suez Canal Dec. 8 as they traveled toward northeast Africa. It took approximately 18 hours for the ship to travel through the Suez Canal, and as CJTF -HOA personnel and the ship's crew finished the transit, some of them reflected on their voyage up to this point. On December 12, 2002, the headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa arrived on station to oversee operations in support of the global war on terrorism in the Horn of Africa region.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) began moving all headquarters personnel and equipment from its flagship, USS Mount Whitney in the Gulf of Aden, into facilities at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti on May 6, 2003. The newly renovated 88-acre camp, a former French Foreign Legion post owned by the Djiboutian government, will now serve as CJTF-HOA's expeditionary headquarters. CJTF-HOA presence in Djibouti and the duration of operations across the region are tied to accomplishment of the counter-terrorism mission, not a fixed period of time. The CJTF mission will remain focused on detecting, disrupting and defeating transnational terrorism in conjunction with coalition partners across the Horn of Africa.

More than 300 forces have arrived from the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, Miami, Fla., 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461, New River, N.C. The total CJTF-HOA contingent at Camp Lemonier now numbers more than 1,800, representing all branches of the U.S. armed services, coalition military members and civilian personnel.

On March 24, 2004 German President Rau cancelled his visit to the 1,000 German soldiers stationed in Djibouti as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CENTCOM HOA Map

Click on the small image to view a larger version

See 30 Apr 2004 CENTCOM Operational Update Briefing

Djibouti: Background

A small desert country located at the south entrance of the Red Sea on the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is split by a central mountain range which runs between a coastal plain and an inland plateau. Djibouti's climate is hot and arid with negligible rainfall.

Djibouti's importance stems from its strategic location at the entrance to the Bab al Mandeb. The country's airfield served as part of a strategic air bridge for operations in Somalia, and the US has an ongoing ship visit program. Djibouti's pro-Western orientation and long-standing French presence afford the U.S. important access to support facilities for crisis response.

Tribal friction continues between the Afar rebels in the north and the Issas who largely control the government. Although civil war brought increased lawlessness to the country, conditions are now returning to normal. In addition to domestic problems, Djibouti (like Ethiopia) served as a safe haven for Somalis fleeing violence and anarchy to the south. The government has continuing requirements for international aid organizations to assist in temporary relief and shelter for these refugees. The historic instability of Djibouti's neighboring countries continues to place an increased burden on its ability to develop economically and politically.

While the Djiboutian military continues its demobilization efforts and the government strives to improve its economic outlook, the U.S. continues to maintain a modest security assistance program aimed at complementing France's leading role. Current assistance is limited to spare parts for vehicles, limited engineer equipment, and a modest IMET program. In FY95 the U.S. will begin a military civic action program designed to "train the trainer" in basic skills.