Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. David Herndon
  • Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
NAGAD, Djibouti (AFPN) --  Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. 

Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces' Expeditionary Band and Marines of the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.

The event marked the second time in October the two services joined together to provide humanitarian assistance to Djiboutian villages.

"I think it's great that we can bring some of our culture to our friends in Djibouti and share goodwill with our neighbors," said Marine Capt. Christopher Crim, the 3rd LAAD Batter B commanding officer. "Regardless of service, we are all on the same team, the American team, and we look to once again spread our goodwill to our friends who are so kind and gracious to host our efforts."

The CENTAF Band's mobile expeditionary performance group Live Round performed a blend of current and classic rock 'n' roll musical selections to entertain the crowd of nearly 200 villagers, primarily consisting of school-aged children.

"We all speak different languages, but music seems to be something that unifies us all," said Master Sgt. Joseph Grasso, the CENTAF Band superintendent. "It is important that we reach kids at this age so we can let them know what America is all about and what we hope to accomplish in the region, which is to deter extremism."

For the Marines, who are deployed to CJTF-HOA from Camp Pendleton, Calif., this type of engagement is an additional mission to their primary duty of providing security to Camp Lemonier. 

"Tactically, civil affairs engagements are important to us because they accomplish the important goal of ensuring the local population views our presence as a benefit to them," said Marine Lt. Col. A.F. Potter, the 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion commanding officer.

"Civil affairs engagements are not only about economics and security; they are also about friendship-building, mutual trust, and genuine commitment," Colonel Potter said. "Targeting these things will create security and foster stability."

The band spent nearly two hours performing for villagers before 3rd LAAD Marines began passing gifts and water to village elders and children.

"Everyone knows that the Americans are very open here in Djibouti," said Idriss Akmed Khayre, the Nagad village chief. "(CJTF-HOA) military members do so much good for us and we appreciate it. I look forward to working with (CJTF-HOA) again in the future." 

The event served as a creative way for Airmen and Marines to work together to prevent conflict and extremism by fostering positive relationships in the local area, said Chief Master Sgt. Paul Eschliman, Live Round's chief vocalist.

"This type of event will pay long-term dividends that most wouldn't believe," said the chief. "Making friends now will help our relationships grow exponentially in the distant future."

Civil affairs engagements, similar to the Nagad concert, serve as opportunities for CJTF-HOA members to reduce the specter of conflict, war and extremism in the Horn of Africa.

"We know that simply throwing money at a problem will not yield the desired results," Colonel Potter said. "We must be truly genuine in our efforts to make friends, and civil affairs is our ounce of prevention."

CJTF-HOA is a unit of U.S. Central Command. The organization conducts operations and training to assist partner nations to combat terrorism in order to establish a secure environment and enable regional stability. More than 1,500 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, coalition forces and partner nations make up the CJTF-HOA organization.

The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen.

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