Location
Camp Lemonnier is located on the south-west side of the Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, between the runway overflow areas and a French military munitions storage facility. Located in the Horn of Africa, it is the only U.S. military infrastructure in Africa, providing a base of operations geared toward building security, sovereignty, and stability in the region.
History
Originally, the camp belonged to the artillery of the French 5th Overseas Task Force (5th RIAOM). Paintings on the wall of the White House are depicting colonial soldiers, former name of the Marine Troops from which the 5th RIAOM was formed. Following use by the 5th RIAOM, the facility was operated by the Djiboutian Armed Forces.
The U.S. Government created Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to conduct stability operations in the Horn of Africa after September 11, 2001. In November 2002, the CJTF-HOA staff, a Marine-based organization, arrived off the coast of Djibouti onboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20). In May 2003, CJTF-HOA transitioned from the Mount Whitney to Camp Lemonnier, moving all headquarters personnel and equipment.
On July 1, 2006, the United States Marine Corps turned over responsibility for Camp Lemonnier to the U.S. Navy. U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) took over as the component commander while the base fell under Commander Navy Region Southwest Asia (CNRSWA).
In January 2007, the U.S. and Djiboutian governments announced that a lease agreement had been signed to expand Camp Lemonnier from 88 acres to nearly 500 acres. The term of the lease was for 5 years with options to renew. With the additional land, the camp improved living conditions for its personnel, installing containerized living units (CLUs) along with concrete sidewalks and gravel roads. This drastically improved quality of life as people moved from tents to CLUs.
On October 1, 2008, Camp Lemonnier was realigned in support of the stand up of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM). Responsibility for CJTF-HOA was transferred from the USCENTCOM to USAFRICOM as it assumed authority over the African theater of operations. The base also changed from CNRSWA to Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNEURAFSWA).
In May 2009, Camp Lemonnier welcomed the arrival of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force P-3 Detachment which has made significant contributions to the anti-piracy mission along with the many coalition ships who have made Djibouti a frequent place to stop. This led to the stand up of the first Harbor Boat Security Unit on the African continent in July 2009, providing port security for ships at the Ports of Djibouti and Doraleh.
Mission
Camp Lemonnier provides, operates and sustains superior service to support regional and combatant command requirements; and enables operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African Nation relations.
While the United States had long understood that Islamic extremists used the large desert areas of northeastern Africa, known as the Horn of Africa, as a base of operations, its efforts to combat the threat had been minimal before the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Following the attacks, the U.S. began to expand anti-terrorism efforts in the area. At first, those efforts were limited to focused attacks, but in 2002, the U.S. government realized that to reduce extremism would require long term engagement with the local governments and populations.
As a result, it established the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to conduct stability operations in the area.
Today, Camp Lemonnier is home to CJTF-HOA and 23 tenant commands, serving as a key location from which U.S. and Coalition forces operate in the Horn of Africa.
Population Served
The Camp supports approximately 2,500 U.S., joint and allied forces military and civilian personnel and U.S. Department of Defense contractors. Additionally, the base provides employment for approximately 1,200 local and third country nation workers.
Base Transportation
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship and Indoctrination Program provides incoming personnel with meaningful pre-arrival communication, adequate support upon arrival and relocation assistance to meet the Sailor’s needs.
The goal of the program is to facilitate a smooth transition and assimilation into the new command.
Relocation Assistance
The Fleet and Family Support Center’s Relocation Assistance Program can make your move a lot easier. The Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) is designed to make the moving process run as effortlessly as possible for you and your family.
Critical Installation Information
If you are a visitor, access to Camp needs to be coordinated at least 7 days in advance with your Camp sponsor. In addition, lodging and meals at Camp Lemonnier are limited; therefore, all travelers visiting Camp Lemonnier must coordinate lodging and meals with their sponsor prior to executing their travel.
Frequently Called Numbers on Base
Commanding Officer 824-4244
Executive Officer 824-4243
Command Master Chief 824-4239
Quarterdeck DSN 824-2245
Fleet and Family Readiness Officer 824-4539
Work and Family Life Education Specialist 824-4741
Fleet and Family Support Center Site Manager 824-4539
Personal Financial Manager 824-4741
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 824-4532
Clinical Counselor 824-4539
Fleet Readiness Leading Petty Officer 824-4215
Food Service 824-3173
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Site Manager 824-5041
Navy Exchange 824-2223
Dental Clinic 824-4368
Veterinarian 824-4678
Medical 824-4901
Command Chaplain 824-5075
Staff Chaplain 824-5075
Religious Programs 824-4800
Admin Officer 824-4241
Admin Support 824-4266
Personnel Support 824-4225 or 824-4224
Public Affairs Officer 824-2471
Security Manager 824-4241
Staff Judge Advocate/ Legalman 824-4949
Staff Judge Advocate — CNREURAFSWA Liason 824-4949
Operations Officer 824-4363
Port Operations Officer 824-4238
Air Terminal Operations Center (All Flight Schedule Information) 824-4245
Passenger Services (Including Bus Schedule) 824-4009
Cargo Services 824-2014
Air Operations Officer 824-4260
Air Traffic Control 824-4141
Armory 824-4214
Logistics Officer 824-4132
Postal Officer 824-4276
Logistics Customs/ Workcenter Supervisor 824-4261
Property Manager/ Tax Exemption 824-4969
Mail Clerk/ Postal Leading Petty Officer 824-4275
Public Works Officer 824-4064
Assistant Public Works Officer 824-4687
Environmental Division Head 824-4082
Facilities Management/ Requirements Branch Head 824-4328
Production Chief 824-4277
Construction Manager 824-4761 or 824-4374
Construction Contracting Officer 824-4778 or 824-4788
NCIS Resident Agent in Charge 824-4612
NCIS Logistics Officer 824-4715
NCIS Special Agent 824-4844 or 824-5147
Communications Officer 824-4511
Communication Operations Officer 824-4511
Communications Helpdesk Tech 824-4357
Security Officer 824-4445 or 524-6320
Emergency Management 824-5278/824-4200
Kennel Supervisor 824-4678
Comptroller 824-4028
Commercial Bill Pay Officer 824-4140
Budget and Accounting Clerk 824-4058