Admiral Kurta Assumes Command of CJTF-HOA

CAMP LEMONIER, DJIBOUTI –  Rear Admiral Anthony M. Kurta will assume leadership of the task force charged with building security capacity in the Horn of Africa, here Thursday.
Admiral Kurta will take command of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa from Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene during a time-honored military tradition, which transfers total responsibility, authority and accountability of the unit from one individual to another.
Admiral Kurta was previously the director of Navy Europe programs, resources, and support/director, transformation activities, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, Naples, Italy.

CJTF-HOA employs an “indirect approach” to counter extremism.  Through a strategy of Cooperative Conflict Prevention the task force builds security capacity, promote regional cooperation, and protect coalition interests to prevail against extremism.

CJTF-HOA was established at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Oct. 19, 2002.  In November 2002, personnel embarked on a 28-day training cruise aboard USS MOUNT WHITNEY, and arrived in the Horn of Africa on Dec. 8, 2002. 

CJTF-HOA operated from the MOUNT WHITNEY until May 13, 2003, when the mission transitioned ashore to Camp Lemonier in Djibouti City, Djibouti.  Since then, CJTF-HOA personnel have used Military-to-Military mentorship as the cornerstone to building partner country security capacity.  CJTF-HOA has supported development by building numerous schools, clinics and hospitals and conducted dozens of Medical Civil Action and Veterinary Civil Action projects.