By Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – Rear Adm. Anthony M. Kurta assumed leadership of the task force charged with building security capacity in the Horn of Africa Feb. 5.
Kurta took command of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa from Rear Adm. Philip H. Greene during a time-honored military tradition, which transfers total responsibility, authority and accountability of the unit from one individual to another.
Commander of U.S. Africa Command, Gen. William E. Ward presided over the change of command, marking the first change of command ceremony under the new U.S. regional command.
"I have been impressed since day one. The work you all have done has made a positive difference and you have made an impact," Ward said. "You have had an impact on capacity building efforts - and not just short term – an impact with potential to sustain and endure."
Kurta was previously the director of Navy Europe Programs, Resources and Support and director, Transformation Activities, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, Naples, Italy.
"The work of building security capacity in Africa is important to us all," Kurta said. "The entire team is ready, willing and eager to address the challenges ahead."
Greene served as commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa from February 2008 to February 2009. His next assignment is deputy chief of Naval of Operations of Integrations of Capabilities and Resources, Pentagon Washington, D.C.
CJTF-HOA employs an indirect approach to counter extremism. Through a strategy of cooperative conflict prevention, the task force builds security capacity, promotes regional cooperation and protects coalition interests to prevail against extremism.
CJTF-HOA personnel use military-to-military mentorship as the cornerstone to building partner country security capacity. CJTF-HOA supports development by building schools, clinics and hospitals and conducting medical civil action and veterinary civil action projects.