CJTF-HOA Coalition Officers Pay Visit to French Warship

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Larry Foos | Mauritius Army Maj. Rassen Mardaymootoo (right) poses questions to French Navy Lt. Loïc Boyer, 2nd anti-submarine warfare officer, inside a passageway of the French frigate warship Dupleix (D 641) at Djibouti‘s Port in the Gulf of Aden Aug. 14. Mardaymootoo and other foreign military service members are coalition officers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Djibouti. The French naval ship is on a five-month deployment in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean supporting missions for Enduring Freedom and anti-piracy operations.  

DJIBOUTI, DJIBOUTI

08.14.2010

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Larry Foos 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

DJIBOUTI - Nine coalition officers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa expanded their multi-national coalition efforts by visiting the French frigate Dupleix (D 641) in Djibouti Port Aug. 14. Representing nations from Africa, Europe and Asia, the coalition officers were provided a tour of the warship and engaged in an English-speaking dialogue with its officers.

“It’s my second time on a ship since I’ve been in Djibouti,” said Egyptian Army Lt. Col. Ahmad Elshazly, who is one of the coalition officers and Egypt’s liaison to CJTF-HOA. “This (visit) is an availability to build a relationship.”

French Navy Lt. Loïc Boyer, Dupleix’ 2nd anti-submarine warfare officer guided the coalition officers around the frigate, explaining its many offensive and defensive capabilities, its role in the current deployment and its name sake heritage. The tour ended in the officer’s wardroom where coalition officers had an opportunity to ask questions and engage with crew members.

The nine CJTF-HOA coalition officers are all active military officers representing Kenya, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Comoros, Egypt, Romania, South Korea and France. There are currently 18 coalition officers deployed between 3-12 months to the Djibouti-based combined joint command, which employs civil military operations to help build capacity and partnerships with several East African countries.

The Djibouti Port is the last French-based port for French warships to resupply and visit on the way out to the Indian Ocean. The Dupleix is on a five-month deployment in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean supporting missions for Enduring Freedom and anti-piracy operations.

To learn more about CJTF-HOA, visit its Web site at www.hoa.africom.mil.

• Date Taken: 08.14.2010
• Date Posted: 08.17.2010 03:47
• Story ID: 54694
• Location: DJIBOUTI, DJ