Major General Andrew C. Gainey, U.S. Army
Commanding General
Major General Andrew C. Gainey serves as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) in Vicenza, Italy; he also serves as the deputy commanding general for Africa of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF).
Maj. Gen. Gainey was commissioned into the Field Artillery in 1992 upon graduation from the University of South Carolina. He has since served in a variety of key leadership positions throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Most recently, he was the Commanding General of the 56th Artillery Command, United States Army Europe and Africa.
Prior to that assignment, Maj. Gen. Gainey served as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 3rd (French) Division in Marseille. During his career, he has had the distinct privilege to lead Soldiers in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Maj. Gen. Gainey commanded troops at the Brigade and Battalion level, most notably as the Commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Riley, Kansas, and later as the Commander of the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (HIMARS) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
While serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 1st Infantry Division, he commanded the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters (Forward) in Poland.
Maj. Gen. Gainey has held numerous staff positions. His most recent staff positions include the Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff, the Executive Officer to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, the Senior Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense, and the Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary Defense.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina, a Master’s degree from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree from the United States Marine War College.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Office of the Secretary Defense Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Maj. Gen. Gainey and his wife, Sophie, are most proud of their three beautiful daughters.