Grand Bara

Air Force pararescuemen from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron tend to the victim of a simulated plane crash near Djibouti during a simulated rescue exercise Feb. 26. A personnel recovery task force made u More

GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti (Dec. 08, 2011) A runner competes in the 29th annual Grand Bara 15K race in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti. More than 250 members from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa More

GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti (Dec. 08, 2011) A runner sprints for the finish line during the 29th annual Grand Bara 15K race in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti. More than 250 members from the Combined Joint Task More

GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti (Dec. 08, 2011) Three French Mirage 2000 fighter jets start the 29th annual Grand Bara 15K race with a flyover in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti. More than 250 members from the Comb More

GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti (Dec. 08, 2011) A row of rocks define the course at the 29th annual Grand Bara 15K race in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti. More than 250 members from the Combined Joint Task Force - More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Brock (left), U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jon Thomas and U.S. Army Pfc. Ivan Falcon pose for a photo early April 21 before starting a 100 mile "century."

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), train alongside a simulated patient during a Combat Search and Rescue Exercise on board an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, 81st ERQS, ove More

French Marines, 5th French Marine Regiment, prepare to start a night time combat movement segment of the Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March. 2,2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members More

U.S. Marine Capt. Shane Robinette, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), patrols through the Arta Mountains during a day movement segment of the Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March 3 More

U.S. Army Col. Christopher Beckert, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), sits aboard a French SA330 Puma helicopter destined for the French Desert Combat Training and Hardening Center, Djibouti, More

A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), flies over the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, during a local training mission May 8, 2013. The 449th Air Expeditionary Group regularl More

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, and U.S. soldiers, Bravo Company, 1-63rd Combined Arms Battalion, Site Security Team, load a patient from an HH-60G Pave Hawk, 303rd ERQS, to an More

U.S. soldiers, 1-63rd Combined Arms Battalion, offload gear from a U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, May 17, 2013. The soldie More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Freeman, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron aerial gunner, looks out the side of a HH-60 Pave Hawk during training Oct. 27, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. The 303rd ERQS is de More

A HC-130 Hercules crew member displays a sign of excitement while taxing on the flight line Nov. 14, 2014, on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The forward air refueling point exercise was conducted to train and famili More

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal members detonate 200 pounds of ordnance in Grand Bara, Djibouti, Dec. 10, 2014. Navy EOD ensures the demolition of various types of explosives and hazardous munitions. (U.S More

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bobby Martinez, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron flight engineer, conducts preflight checks at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 12, 2015. During the preflight checks, aircrew looks f More

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller controls an HC-130J Combat King II from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2015. Through unified action with U.S. and international partn More

U.S. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, fly on a Marine KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), during More

Service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine Corps participate in a sustainment training at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Jan. 5, 2017. During the exercise U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, More

A French military member parachutes onto the simulated battlefield during the French live fire demonstration near Arta Plage, Djibouti, Jan. 14, 2017. Militaries use parachutes to allow soldiers to enter battle More

A servicemember prepares to jump out of a C-130 Hercules with the over Grand Bara, Djibouti, Feb. 20, 2017 as part of a training exercise. After landing, the jumpers prepped a landing zone for the aircraft to l More

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ) and Combat Controllers (CCT) conduct an exercise March 11, 2017 at Grand Bara, Djibouti. During the exercise CCT and PJ Airmen parachuted from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Her More

A U.S. Air Force tactical air control party member with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. Detachment 1, watches as U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, deployed in sup More

U.S. service members deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) use Anemometers to check wind speed before the start of a night mission rehearsal with U.S. Air Force pararescue More

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), perform a night static line jump from a C-130J Hercules ne More

U.S. Army Capt. Connor McCarthy, commanding officer of the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to Viper Company, 1-26 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), displays a Christmas decoration bef More

Air Force pararescuemen from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron extract the victim of a simulated plane crash near Djibouti during a simulated rescue exercise Feb. 26. A personnel recovery task force made u More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Brock (left) and U.S. Army Pfc. Ivan Falcon participate in a 100-mile "century."

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), train alongside a simulated patient during a Combat Search and Rescue Exercise on board an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, 81st ERQS, ove More

French Marines, 5th French Marine Regiment, move in a tactical column towards a checkpoint during a Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March 2, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Co More

French Marines, 5th French Marine Regiment, practice hand to hand combat during a Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March 3, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Combined Joint Task More

French Army Major Pierre Simon, assists members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), board a French SA330 Puma helicopter destined for the French Desert Combat Training and Hardening Center, More

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), climb up a rope ladder to board an HH-60G Pave Hawk, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, May 8, 2013 More

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, train alongside simulated patients during a combat search and rescue exercise on board an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, 81st ERQS, over the Gr More

U.S. soldiers, 1-63rd Combined Arms Battalion, offload gear and set up a makeshift camp in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, May 17, 2013. The soldiers were participating in an evaluation exercise in support of More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Freeman, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron aerial gunner, looks out the side of a HH-60 Pave Hawk during training Oct. 27, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. The 303rd ERQS is de More

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Zach McDonald, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron load master, stares out the window of a HC-130 Hercules Nov. 5, 2014, over Grand Bara, Djibouti. A HC-130 Hercules is the extended- More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Zema, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loadmaster, runs pass two U.S. Army soldiers while participating in a forward air refueling point exercise Nov. 14, 2014, in Grand Bara, More

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal members detonate 200 pounds of ordnance in Grand Bara, Djibouti, Dec. 10, 2014. Navy EOD ensures the demolition of various types of explosives and hazardous munitions. (U.S More

A U.S. Air Force HC-130 Combat King lands during a forward arming and refuel point exercise at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 12, 2015. The Combat King provided several smaller airframes a refueling point to help More

A Joint Terminal Attack Controller controls an HC-130J Combat King II from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Oc. 20, 2015. Through unified action with U.S. and international partne More

A U.S. Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, flies on a Marine KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), duri More

Service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine Corps participate in a sustainment training at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Jan. 5, 2017. During the exercise U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, More

A French Mirage fighter aircraft drops flares as it performs a high-speed pass during the French live fire demonstration near Arta Plage, Djibouti, Jan. 14, 2017. The Mirage and other fighter aircraft use flare More

A pararescueman from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron checks wind conditions prior to a jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti, Feb. 20, 2017 as part of a training exercise. After landing, j More

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ) and Combat Controllers (CCT)conduct an exercise March 11, 2017 at Grand Bara, Djibouti. During the exercise CCT and PJ Airmen parachuted from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Herc More

A U.S. service member deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) uses night vision goggles to watch for U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron More

U.S. service members and U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), participate in a joint personnel More

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Viper Company, 1-26 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), with the East Africa Response Force (EARF) and Airmen assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Combat C More

Air Force pararescuemen from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and Army soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, Joint Combat Search and Rescue spe More

As seen in the rear view mirror of a medical support vehicle, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Brock (left) and U.S. Army Pfc. Ivan Falcon participate in a 100-mile "century."

U.S. Air Force pararescueman, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), checks the vitals of one of his simulated patients during a Combat Search and Rescue Exercise, on board an MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft More

A French Marine, 5th French Marine Regiment, stops and scans for threats as he and his squad, ascend a mountain during a night time combat movement segment of the Desert Survival Training Course in Djibouti, Ma More

U.S. Navy Capt. Darwin Webster, and French Army Maj. Pierre Simon, watch as members of the French 5th Marines Regiment, are taught how to filter and purify water during a Desert Combat Training Course in Djibou More

A French Army crew chief readies an SA330 Puma helicopter destined for the French Desert Combat Training and Hardening Center, Djibouti, March 6, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Combined More

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), prepares to rappel down from a HH-60G Pave Hawk, 303rd ERQS, over the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, May 8, 2013. The 449th Air Expeditio More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Aircraft creates a dust cloud during brownout aerial training Oct. 27, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. A brownout is an in-flight visibility restriction due to dust or sand in the air. (U.S. Ai More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter approaches the tail of an HC-130 Hercules to conduct an in air refueling training Nov. 5, 2014, over Grand Bara, Djibouti. An HC-130 Hercules is the extended-range, search and rescu More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Zema, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loadmaster, slips on a pair of gloves while participating in a forward air refueling point exercise Nov. 14, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibou More

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal members detonate 200 pounds of ordnance in Grand Bara, Djibouti, Dec. 10, 2014. Navy EOD ensures the demolition of various types of explosives and hazardous munitions. (U.S More

Members from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare fuel hoses from an HC-130 Combat King as part of a forward arming and refuel point exercise at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 12, 2015. Providing a FARP More

An HC-130J Combat King II from the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron lands at Grand Bara, Djibouti prior to staging forward arming and refueling point involving an HH-60G Pave Hawk on Oct. 20, 2015. Through un More

U.S. Marines assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), fly a KC-130J Super Hercules during a training mission near the Grand Bara, Djibouti, Jan. 2 More

Members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit roleplay as aggressors during a sustainment training scenario at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Jan. 5, 2017. During the exercise U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Contro More

A French Mirage fighter aircraft performs a high-speed pass during the French live fire demonstration near Arta Plage, Djibouti, Jan. 14, 2017. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by: Staff Sgt. Christian Jadot)

A pararescueman from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron checks wind conditions prior to a jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti, Feb. 20, 2017 as part of a training exercise. After landing, j More

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ) and Combat Controllers (CCT)conduct an exercise March 11, 2017 at Grand Bara, Djibouti. During the exercise CCT and PJ Airmen parachuted from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Herc More

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), performs a night free-fall jump from a C-130 Hercules n More

A U.S. Air Force tactical air control party member from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Detachment 1, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), participates in a join More

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Viper Company, 1-26 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), convoy to the Grand Bara Desert from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 14, More

Marine 1st Lt. Josh Goldman, a native of Atlanta, Ga., completes the French Foreign Legion's 25th annual Grand Bara Run, a 15k (9.3 miles) race in Djibouti's Grand Bara Desert, Dec. 13. Goldman's time of 1:2:57 More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Brock (left) and U.S. Army Pfc. Ivan Falcon participate in a 100-mile "century."

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS) and U.S. Soldiers, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery, Site Security Team walk with simulated patients to an awaiting MC-130P Combat Sha More

A French Marine, 5th French Marine Regiment, stops and scans for threats as he and his squad, ascend a mountain during a night time combat movement segment of the Desert Survival Training Course in Djibouti, Ma More

U.S. Navy Capt. Darwin Webster visits French Marines with the 5th Marine Regiment, during a Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March 3, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Combined J More

A French SA330 Puma helicopter, destined for the French Desert Combat Training and Hardening Center, prepares to take off in Djibouti, March 6, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Combined J More

A U.S. Air Force Flight Engineer, 303rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), hoists pararescumen, 82nd ERQS, to an awaiting HH-60G Pave Hawk during a training mission over the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, May More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Aircraft creates a dust cloud during brownout aerial training Oct. 27, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. A brownout is an in-flight visibility restriction due to dust or sand in the air. (U.S. Ai More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter approaches the tail of an HC-130 Hercules to conduct an in air refueling training Nov. 5, 2014, over Grand Bara, Djibouti. A HC-130 Hercules is the extended-range, search and rescue More

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Zach McDonald, 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loadmaster, carries a refueling hose while participating in a forward air refueling point exercise Nov. 14, 2014, in Grand Bara, Dj More

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal members detonate 200 pounds of ordnance in Grand Bara, Djibouti, Dec. 10, 2014. Navy EOD performs underwater recovery of ordnance and makes all types of explosives and demo More

U.S. and French military members prepare fuel hoses from an HC-130 Combat King as part of a forward arming and refueling exercise at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 12, 2015. Providing a FARP allowed several smalle More

Two Joint Terminal Attack Controllers provide support during forward arming and refueling point training at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2015. Through unified action with U.S. and international partners in Ea More

A U.S. Marine pilot assigned to the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), flies a KC-130J Super Hercules during a joint training exercise near the Grand Bara, More

Service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine Corps participate in a sustainment training at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Jan. 5, 2017. During the exercise U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, More

Two French SA 330 Puma helicopters perform a fly-by during the French live fire demonstration near Arta Plage, Djibouti, Jan. 14, 2017. The SA 330 Puma is a medium lift, all-weather helicopter capable of transp More

A pararescueman from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron checks wind conditions prior to a jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti, Feb. 20, 2017 as part of a training exercise. After landing, j More

U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ) and Combat Controllers (CCT)conduct an exercise March 11, 2017 at Grand Bara, Djibouti. During the exercise CCT and PJ Airmen parachuted from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Herc More

Pararescuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepare for a night jump from a C-130 Hercules over Grand Bara, Djibouti March 20, 2017. The training allowed the pararescuemen to maintain their qualif More

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), and a U.S. Air Force tactical air control party member with the 82nd ERQS, Detachment 1, deployed in support of Combined Joint Ta More

U.S. Army Capt. Connor McCarthy, commanding officer of the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to Viper Company, 1-26 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), displays a Christmas decoration bef More

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Brock (left) and U.S. Army Pfc. Ivan Falcon participate in a 100-mile "century."

A U.S. Air Force pararesueman, 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS) awaits the transfer of simulated patients from an HH-60G Pave Hawk, 303rd ERQS, to an awaiting MC-130P Combat Shadow, 81st ERQS, during a More

U.S. Navy Lt. Brandon Sales, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), navigates through tall shrubs during a night time combat movement segment of the Desert Survival Training Course in Djibouti, Ma More

French Marines, 5th Marine Regiment, attempt to make a fire during a Desert Combat Training Course in Djibouti, March 3, 2013. The 5th French Marine Regiment invited members of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of More

U.S. Army Col. Christopher Beckert, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), sits aboard a French SA330 Puma helicopter destined for the French Desert Combat Training and Hardening Center, Djibouti, More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Aircraft creates a dust cloud during brownout aerial training Oct. 27, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. A brownout is an in-flight visibility restriction due to dust or sand in the air. (U.S. Ai More

A HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter approaches the tail of an HC-130 Hercules to conduct an in air refueling training Nov. 5, 2014, over Grand Bara, Djibouti. An HC-130 Hercules is the extended-range, search and rescu More

HC-130 Hercules crew members pull a refueling hose while participating in a forward air refueling point exercise Nov. 14, 2014, in Grand Bara, Djibouti. The FARP exercise was conducted to train and familiarize More