Shining in the desert

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- U.S. Air Force Reservist Staff Sgt. Benjamin Domian, a SERE specialist with the 920th Rescue Wing, is awarded a French desert combat badge during a graduation ceremony near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 16, 2013. Sergeant Domian was named honor graduate of the more than 160 French and U.S. military members who participated in the 10-day desert combat course, with about 143 completing the test of mental and physical obstacles in the Djiboutian desert. Joint training, such as this, builds relationships with partner nations and ensures Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members are continually ready to support military operations in East Africa to defeat violent extremist organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson)

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Shining in the desert

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- U.S. Air Force Reservist Staff Sgt. Benjamin Domian, a SERE specialist with the 920th Rescue Wing was named honor graduate of the French Forces Desert Combat Survival Course held here in October. Sergeant Domian (left), is seen here showing French desert combat badge to fellow teammates (from left to right) Staff Sgt. Jonathon Schmitz, a SERE specialist with the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, and from the 920th, Combat Rescue Officer Capt. Luc Chandou and pararescueman Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Traska, after a graduation ceremony here Oct. 16. More than 160 French and U.S. military members participated in the 10-day desert combat course, with about 143 completing the test of mental and physical obstacles in the Djiboutian desert. Joint training, such as this, builds relationships with partner nations and ensures Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members are continually ready to support military operations in East Africa to defeat violent extremist organizations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chad Thompson)

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Wing Airman named honor graduate of grueling desert survival course

Published Oct. 28, 2013
By CJTF-HOA
Public Affairs Office

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- An Air Force Reserve SERE specialist with the 920th Rescue Wing was named top honor graduate of the French Forces Desert Combat Survival Course held here in October.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin Domian, deployed here from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., joined more than 160 French and U.S. military members who participated in the 10-day desert combat course, with about 143 completing the test of mental and physical obstacles in the Djiboutian desert.

"We're incredibly proud of him," said Capt. Luc Chandou, a combat rescue officer with the 920th. "I discussed his performance with some of the trainees, and they were all awed by his strength, knowledge and leadership."

Joint training, such as this, builds relationships with partner nations and ensures Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members are continually ready to support military operations in East Africa to defeat violent extremist organizations.

Shining in the desert

Shining in the desert