DJIBOUTI – The Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), together with Djiboutian, French, Japanese, and European Union naval forces, concluded the semiannual Bull Shark exercise in Djibouti, May 5–6, 2025. The exercise aimed to strengthen communication and collaboration among international partners and allies.
In a media note released on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Defense, officials said Bull Shark 25-2 tested the interoperability of the host nation and international forces by simulating complex personnel recovery scenarios involving sea, air and land units. The exercise enhances regional operational effectiveness.
Participants included multiple branches of the U.S. military, the Djiboutian armed forces and coast guard, French forces in Djibouti, the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Spanish navy. The Spanish Air Force Orion Detachment and personnel from an Italian military base in Djibouti also observed the drills.
“Bull Shark wasn’t just about procedures and protocols; it was about the people,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Ballenger, deputy commanding officer of CJTF-HOA, during the closing ceremony at Camp Doraleh. “It was about building trust, understanding each other’s capabilities and forging stronger bonds of partnership.”
Exercise organizers emphasized the level of multinational logistical coordination required to safely meet mission objectives. Ballenger said training together is essential to understanding how each element of the coalition operates.
Djiboutian Coast Guard commander Col. Wais Omar Bogoreh praised the collaboration.
“We are doing well together,” he said, adding that he looked forward to future exercises and continued improvements in maritime security coordination.
At the start of the exercise, coalition forces carried out a notional maritime rescue. The Djiboutian coast guard extracted personnel from the water while maintaining communications with a multinational command and control node. EU naval forces followed with hoist operations using a Spanish SH-60R Sea Hawk.
“This exercise presented us with realistic challenges, from simulated search and rescue operations to testing interoperability of communication systems,” Ballenger said.
The land segment simulated rescues at a private beach and a notional aircraft crash site, incorporating casualty evaluation and communications testing.
“Anything that we’re [going to] do in this part of the world or really anywhere, we’re [going to] be working with other partner nations,” said U.S. Army Col. Jason Inskeep, director of training and exercises. “So, you [have] to learn how to work with them, how to communicate with them, [understand] what the abilities of their service members are, what their equipment is, and, ultimately, bring that all together so we can accomplish the mission.”
The drill also simulated battlefield injuries, prompting the deployment of U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 and pararescuemen from the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron.
Credit:
Air Force Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
The Osprey, capable of both vertical and short takeoffs and landings, combines the agility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop aircraft, enabling efficient personnel extraction in complex terrains.
Ballenger said joint exercises like Bull Shark help participating nations “work toward common goals for regional security and stability.” He stressed that the enhanced capabilities developed through these exercises are crucial to mounting unified responses to evolving regional threats.
Impressed with the level of teamwork, Ballenger highlighted the professionalism of participating forces.
“These moments were the result of dedicated professionals working together, adapting to circumstances and prioritizing a common goal,” he said.
Credit:
Air Force Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek
Exercise planners noted that each Bull Shark iteration increases in complexity, offering greater opportunities for partner nations to refine their communication and coordination skills in preparation for real-world events. Readiness and response capacity remain core to the mission.
“In the event of an emergency, you never know who you’re going to need to help or who may be helping you,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Dahlby, task force future operations planner. “So, it’s important to understand how you go about completing these tasks.”
Ballenger reiterated the task force’s long-term mission.
“This is not simply the end of an exercise; it is a steppingstone,” he said. “It’s a foundation upon which we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient and more effective partnership.”
