The Horn of Africa is a strategically important region, and the U.S. military maintains a presence there to promote stability and counter violent extremism. This presence involves various units of the U.S. National Guard, who deploy to the region to support Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
Those deploying will join members of the Oregon National Guard later this month at Fort Bliss, Texas, to begin final preparations for their upcoming deployment to the Horn of Africa in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). As part of CJTF-HOA, the squadron will support missions focused on countering violent extremism, building partner capacity, and strengthening regional security partnerships.
“This is the largest deployment in the Washington Army National Guard since our last deployment in 2019,” Seeb noted. “I have watched all of you grow into a cohesive team through the heat of Louisiana and the winds of Yakima. From April 23 to May 17, 2025, the squadron trained at Yakima Training Center and their home stations, refining field tactics and completing final pre-deployment requirements.
“We prepare to send you to the third continent this brave squadron has deployed to,” said Lt. Col. Eric Seeb, commander of the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment. “Thank you to the soldiers, families, and friends for filling this room to capacity,” said Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general of the Washington Army National Guard.
The US National Guard and Its Role
Key Components of the Deployment:
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- Countering Violent Extremism: Supporting efforts to combat extremist groups in the region.
- Building Partner Capacity: Training and assisting local forces to enhance their capabilities.
- Strengthening Regional Security Partnerships: Fostering cooperation and collaboration with regional allies.
Coordination and collaboration are crucial aspects of how a maneuver enhancement brigade functions and the same is true for the CJTF-HOA. “CJTF-HOA facilitates coordination between commands, subordinate units, allies, partners and other force elements,” Leckel explained, “fostering the unity of effort” between partner nations and international organizations.
A maneuver enhancement brigade protects and manages a maneuver - or combat - division’s support area so the maneuver elements can operate securely. A maneuver enhancement brigade is well suited to help the CJTF-HOA execute missions. Africa Command’s mission by functioning as its support area.
“Everyone here has an important role to make us successful, and one role is not more or less important than another,” Jansen said. “This is my first time working in a staff position, and the experience has been eye-opening, to say the least,” Fischer said. “This is a joint staff at that, so there’s even an additional layer added into the experience.
“This small part of Africa affects the larger world - it’s amazing to see the impact that we have in international relations while here,” said Maj. military has been at Camp Lemonnier for two decades. military base on the African continent and a forward operating site.
In addition to Pennsylvania, the task force includes Soldiers from the Illinois, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin National Guards. Headquartered by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Associator assumed authority from Task Force Paxton, an adjacent battalion from Pennsylvania, in September 2024. The task force's priority is to provide force protection in each of the six postured locations in Eastern Africa, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia.
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“Integrating with our partners ensures we combine and leverage our national strengths,” said Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi, task force commander. citizens and interests. “These Soldiers make the mission happen,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Chuck Trofe, task force senior enlisted leader.
The task force’s presence in Djibouti highlights the enduring commitment of the United States to its African partners and underscores the importance of fostering regional security cooperation. “Our Soldiers are proud to carry on the legacy of the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Fittipoldi said.
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