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Spotlight

Bull Shark

The Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, alongside Djiboutian, French, Japanese and European Union naval forces joined together for the semiannual Bull Shark exercise to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies.

Sailors participate in Bull Shark in the Gulf of Aden, Nov. 27, 2023.

5 Partner Nations

10 U.S. Units

Soldiers load into an MV-22B Osprey during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Range, Djibouti, May 6, 2025.

319 Total Troops

142 U.S. Forces

Military personnel conduct an after-action review following the completion of hoist operations during Exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025.

Arta Range, Djibouti

Gulf of Tadjoura

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U.S. Army Col. Jason Inskeep, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa CJ-7 Training and Exercises director, and Sgt. Richard Dahlby, CJTF-HOA CJ-6 Future Operations planner, discuss the importance of Bull Shark at Arta Range, Djibouti, May 12, 2025. Participants from the U.S., Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti, and European Union’s Naval Forces (Armada – Spanish Navy) trained side-by-side to strengthen communications, readiness, and partner capacity across East Africa. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Alexander Vasquez) Play
Bull Shark 25-2: Enhancing Regional Security in East Africa
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Bull Shark 25-2: Enhancing Regional Security in East Africa
Bull Shark 25-2 aims to enhance communication and interoperability with Djiboutian armed forces, Japan Self-Defense Forces, French Forces in Djibouti and European Untion’s Naval Forces partner nations. Bull Shark 25-2 will strengthen CJTF-HOA partnerships and increase our ability to operate jointly with host nations and international partners, ultimately enhancing CJTF-HOA operational effectiveness in the region. (U.S. Air Force video by Synsere Howard) Play
Bull Shark Strengthens Alliances, Boosts Security Capabilities
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Bull Shark Strengthens Alliances, Boosts Security Capabilities
U.S. Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa service members and U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron-1 (MSRON-1) hosted women from the Djiboutian Coast Guard for the semi-annual Sea Sisters event April 14-16, at Camp Lemonnier and Camp Doraleh. Play
U.S., Djiboutian Forces Conduct Sea Sisters
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U.S., Djiboutian Forces Conduct Sea Sisters
U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa completed the Bull Shark 25-1 exercise at Arta, Djibouti, on Nov. 26, 2024. The semiannual exercise brought together U.S., Djiboutian, Spanish, Japanese, and French forces to enhance communication and interoperability among international partners. It simulated complex personnel recovery scenarios across land, sea, and air domains, testing coordination and operational readiness while strengthening regional security and stability. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte) Play
Multinational Exercise Strengthens Regional Security, Collaboration
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Multinational Exercise Strengthens Regional Security, Collaboration
U.S. Sailors assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron-1 (MSRON-1) participate in a knowledge exchange with women from the Djiboutian Coast Guard and Djiboutian Navy during Sea Sisters, part of Exercise Bull Shark 25-1, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on Nov. 4-6, 2024. Led by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Bull Shark 25-1 is a joint training exercise with U.S. and partner forces focused on enhancing personnel recovery capabilities and interoperability. Sea Sisters, facilitated by Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and MSRON-1, spanned three days and included sessions on maritime survival tactics, medical care, and relationship-building. WPS was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, WPS emphasizes the critical role of women in peace and security efforts and calls for the protection of women and girls in conflict zones. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Tech. Sgt. Kathleen LaCorte) Play
Sea Sisters Conduct Exercise in Djibouti
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Sea Sisters Conduct Exercise in Djibouti
Members of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa combined efforts with our French, Spanish and Djiboutian partners to rehearse rescuing military personnel and civilians from a hostile environment during Bull Shark 24-2 on May 5-6, 2024 off the coast of Djibouti. The biannual personnel recovery exercise enhances partnerships, reinforces crisis response capability for maritime, improved communications and shore personnel recovery in a combined joint environment. (U.S. Air National Guard video by SrA Kevin Nious) Play
Bull Shark 24-2: Crisis Response
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Bull Shark 24-2: Crisis Response