CAMP LEMONIER, Djbouti -- Brig. Gen. John W. Bergman, commanding general, 4th Force Service Support Group, Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans and Sgt. Maj. Thomas H. Howard, sergeant major, 4th FSSG, visited the Command Logistics Element, Marine Forces Reserve here Feb. 24.
The CLE, comprised of about 300 Marines, many of them reserves, is operating in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
Bergman and Howard toured the camp's facilities and also met with Mr. Donald Y. Yamamoto, U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, to gain a perspective about the nation and the importance of CJTF-HOA's presence here and throughout the region.
"They (CLE personnel) are very professional and they're getting the job done - exactly what I expected," Bergman said. "I sensed a positive excitement. They're enjoying their jobs and proud to be here serving their country."
CJTF-HOA's mission is to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorist groups in the region and support coalition partner efforts to deny the opportunity for reemergence of terrorist networks in the HOA region.
There are currently more than 1,300 military personal with representatives from each U.S. service as well as other coalition partners here. The CLE is responsible for the daily operations of the camp including engineering, communications, supply and security.
"The Marines are constantly on their toes, ready for any type of threat - the force protection is that good," Howard said.
"The General's and Sergeant Major's visit here just reiterates to me that we have strong leadership supporting us from home," said Col. Mario LaPaix, commander, CLE. "They'll be able to return to the states and let everyone know that we're completing our mission and the morale is high."