Maria Kurta (Left), the wife of Rear Admiral Anthony M. Kurta and U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, James Swan applaud during the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, on February 5, 2009. General William "Kip" Ward Commander, U.S. Africa Command, presided over the assumption of command by Rear Admiral Anthony M. Kurta from Rear Admiral Phillip H. Greene. CJTF-HOA's mission is to build security capacity, promote regional cooperation, and protect coalition interests to prevail against extremism.