Post 11th September 2001; after the terrorist attacks in the USA, Djibouti joined hands with the USA to fight against terrorism globally. The USA made Djibouti its military base as part of the program of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. This base now serves as the military base of the US navy. Camp Lemonier Djibouti, which was the former base of the French military served as a military base for the United States post 2001after signing an agreement at the US embassy in Djibouti.
Camp Lemonier Djibouti is located near the Djibouti Airport. The size of Camp Lemonier was extended from 99 acres to 500 acres to improve the quality of life by the Djibouti personnel. Many renovation works started taking place in mid-2003. All the Headquarters personnel and the equipment from the flagship of USS Mount Whitney were transferred to camp Lemonier in the middle of the year 2003. The responsibility of the camp changed from Gerald Fischer of Marine Corps Colonel to Captain Robert Fahey of the US navy in the year 2006.
The facilities offered at Djibouti’s Camp Lemonier post-2005 include:
- Internet facility
- Dining Facility, named “Bob Hope Dining Facility”;
- Chapel
- Fitness equipment
- Swimming pool
- Air-conditioned tents for 4 to 12 ranked personnel
Djibouti workers played a key role in the construction work and the other support works. This camp has been able to generate many employment opportunities for the residents of Djibouti, which in turn has improved the quality of life of the people in Djibouti.