Sattler to hand over command of US anti-terror force

Major General John Sattler, who currently heads the US anti-terror task force in the Horn of Africa, is to hand over command to Brigadier General Mastin M. Robeson of the Marine Corps later this month. In a statement, received by IRIN on Thursday, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) said the handover would take place on 24 May at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti. "Based upon the experience and insight gained from coalition force operations in the Horn of Africa region, Sattler is being reassigned to serve as the deputy commander, United States Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT)," the statement said. Sattler has commanded the CJTF-HOA since it was formed to oversee counter-terrorism operations in the region last October. The operational areas includes the airspace, land areas and coastal waters of Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen. "Robeson was selected to lead CJTF-HOA counter-terrorism activities based upon his unique experience that includes combat operations in Liberia, Kuwait/Southern Iraq (Operation Desert Storm), Somalia and Bosnia," the statement said. It added that Sattler and Robeson would meet government and military leaders in Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen in the coming days "to ensure a smooth command transition for CJTF-HOA and coalition partners across the Horn of Africa region". The CJTF-HOA operation now comprises 1,800 personnel, representing all branches of the US armed services, coalition military members and civilian personnel.