Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

Story by Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti - Camp Lemonier celebrated the 62nd birthday of the U.S. Air Force Sept. 18.

The 449th Air Expeditionary Group here had a birthday ceremony and a 5 kilometer Run/Walk. The first 250 runners received an Air Force Birthday commemorative coin.

As of 2009, the Air Force has more than 300,000 personnel. Approximately eight percent of the population here are Airmen.

"While we might be the youngest service in the Department of Defense, we have a lot of accomplishments," Staff Sgt. Chris Blankenship, non-commissioned officer in charge of awards and evaluations for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, who narrated the birthday ceremony said. "We continue to develop the best Airmen in the world, we are adjusting with the changing times, and will remain the world's best air force."

The Air Force presence on Camp Lemonier provides capabilities such as personnel recovery, communications and aircraft maintenance support for CJTF-HOA and its coalition partners. Recently, Air Force personnel helped restore one of Nigeria's C-130 aircraft as part of an ongoing military-to-military engagement.

"The Air Force also provided medical and recovery assistance to two U.S. Marines after a training accident recently," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Howell, superintendent of the 449th AEG and host for the birthday ceremony here.

"It doesn't seem like it's been 62 years. When we compare our existence to our joint partners in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Coast Guard we are mere toddlers, but what we've accomplished over the last 62 years is remarkable," he said. "Today our Airmen are doing phenomenal things in some pretty austere locations, and I know our founding fathers of our great Air Force would be very proud of what we've done and what we will continue to do serving our great nation."

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