Images

U.S. Air Force Maj. Rolando De Luna, a medical provider, watches as a Moroccan medic examines a patient at the Military Medical Surgical Field Hospital in Tafraoute, Morocco, during the African Lion exercise June 7, 2021. African Lion 2021 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is multi-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Colton Elliott)

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Moroccan Army Général d'armée Belkhir El Farouk, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Southern Zone commander, enter the Rehearsal of Concept Drill for African Lion, Agadir Morocco, June 7, 2021. African Lion is U.S. Africa Command’s largest, premier, Joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, 7-18 June. More than 7,000 participants from nine nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL21 is a multi-domain, multi-component, and multi-national exercise, which employs a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Kindlespire)

U.S. and Italian army senior leaders from the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and U.S. Army Garrison Italy conducted a staff ride visit to the World War I Monte Grappa battlefield in Veneto, Italy, May 24, 2021. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Military Memorial of Monte Grappa in Crespano del Grappa. The event increased leaders’ knowledge of a significant site in Italy’s WWI defense against advancing Austrian troops, and strengthened the U.S. Army’s longstanding alliance with Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jake Forrey)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, right; Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, left; and Italian military members talk after the Vicenza Republic Day celebration in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. This year marks the 75th Italian Republic Day, or Festa della Repubblica, which signifies when the country voted by referendum in favor of the republican form of government and Italy became a republic following World War II. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, attended Vicenza’s Republic Day celebration, or Festa della Repubblica, in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

An Italian man displays the Province of Vicenza banner during Vicenza’s Republic Day celebration, or Festa della Repubblica, in Piazza dei Signori in downtown Vicenza, Italy, June 2, 2021. Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, and Col. Michele Biasiutti, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy senior Italian officer, were in attendance with local Italian leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Cavins)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, addresses participants during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Donald Blome addresses participants during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, salutes during a Memorial Day ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, on May 31, 2021. The ceremony honored the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Embassy in Tunisia)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Issaka Guebre, a combat medic with Civil Affairs East Africa Southern European Task Force (CA-EA SETAF), in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), receives a coin during the French Desert Commando Course graduation at Le centre d'entraînement au combat de Djibouti (CECAD) in Arta Plage, Djibouti, May 10, 2021. Guebre was coined for his excellent work as a translator and medic during the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Sterling)

Logisticians and Transporters from the 839th Transportation Battalion, 598th Transportation BDE (SDDC) and Southern European Task Force-Africa, worked together at the port in Livorno, Italy, May 20, 2021, to upload the Military Sealift Command Vessel, USNS Trenton. The equipment will transit from the Livorno port to Agadir, Morocco in support of exercise African Lion 21. (U.S. Army video by Vincenzo Vitiello)

Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Gregory, the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, dialogues with 1Lgt. (Primo Lugotenente) Antonino Pellegrino, the newly (and first ever) appointed Sergeant Major of the Italian Army, in Rome, Italy, May 13. Gregory was the first command senior enlisted leader to to visit Pellegrino since he was selected for the position. (Courtesy Photo)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, left, and Col. Ed Williams, the SETAF-AF Security Cooperation Directorate director, discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment” with African land force commanders and senior enlisted leaders during a regional breakout session at the 2021 ALFS at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, May 19, 2021. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, ALFS was a virtual event. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Meleesa Gutierrez)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, left, and SETAF-AF Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr., right, discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s African Land Forces Summit theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment” with African land force commanders and senior enlisted leaders during a regional breakout session at the 2021 ALFS at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, May 19, 2021. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, ALFS was a virtual event. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Meleesa Gutierrez)

Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras

Since 2010, the African Land Forces Summit has been of great importance in building partnerships with African Land Force chiefs and discuss security concerns. This year, taking into consideration travel limitations and the safety of country delegations, the U.S. Army is utilizing a widely accepted communication technology to host the ninth annual ALFS on May 19. Gathered together into smaller, regionally focused groups, land force leaders – including land chiefs and senior enlisted leaders – from across the African continent will discuss challenges and opportunities focused on this year’s ALFS theme: “Maintaining Security in a Degraded Environment.”

A U.S. Soldier from 173rd Airborne Brigade pulls security for his squad after a nighttime airborne assault from Hungary into Cheshnegirovo Air Base, Bulgaria as part of Swift Response 21, Cheshnigirovo, Bulgaria, 11 May, 2021. Swift Response 21 is a linked exercise of DEFENDER-Europe 21, which involves special operations activities, air assaults, and live-fire exercises in Estonia, Bulgaria, and Romania, demonstrating airborne interoperability among NATO allies. DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies, and partner militaries. This year, more than 28,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in more than a dozen countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (US Army photo by Kevin Sterling Payne)

Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Commander, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, visits the Senegalese Partnership Garden at the Senegalese Joint Force Headquarters with the Senegal Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Cheikh Wade during a diplomatic engagement to Dakar, April 21. Cavoli visited Senegal from April 19-21, to conduct engagements with Senegal’s chief of the general staff, and officials from French elements in Senegal, as well as with the U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. (Photo by Fareed Abdullah, U.S. Embassy Dakar)

Why I Serve: “I joined the Army to make a difference for this country while fighting for it. I continue to serve to protect the health of the men and women of this country and to emphasize preventive medicine to conserve the fighting force.” -- Capt. Leyla Kosakowski, a 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade environmental science and engineering officer (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kymberley Jurado)

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander, center, and Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, third from right, accompanied by staff and the U.S. Embassy country team, greet Gen. Seydou Badje, the Niger Armed Forces chief of staff, April 21,2021 at Airbase 101 in Niamey, Niger. (U.S. State Dept. photo by CW2 Kory Dannerfrank)

U.S. Ambassador to The Gambia Richard Paschall, left, and Maj. Gen. Mamat Cham, The Gambia Armed Forces deputy chief of defense staff, center, greet U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling upon his arrival in Banjul, The Gambia, April 19, 2021. Rohling visited The Gambia from April 19-20, and met with the country’s vice president, minister of defense, chief of defense staff, deputy chief of defense staff, and the commanders of the Gambian army, navy, and national guard. He also observed a military demonstration and participated in discussions with various European security partners to reinforce the U.S. Army’s commitment to partnership amidst the growing threat of violent extremist organizations in the region. (U.S. State Department photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Posey)

Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade exit a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey and pull security during cold load training at the North Africa Response Force Mission Readiness Exercise on Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, April 22, 2021. Even under rigorous COVID-19 mitigation measures, the exercise tested the no-notice deployment capability of U.S. Africa Command’s North and West Africa Response Force, made up of elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force , Africa from Vicenza, Italy, and Marine Corps and Air Force aviation elements from Spain and Germany respectively. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Semaj Johnson)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, bottom left, and members of the Joint Task Force listen to a briefing from a member of the JTF staff to gain situational understanding of the battlespace during the command post exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, U.S. Africa Command)

Sgt. 1st Class Jovani D’Angella, left, congratulates Staff Sgt. Chief Nuamah and Spc. Isaiah Mathias who received the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force tested its capability as an expeditionary joint task force, integrating maritime, air and land components prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. Participants in the SETAF-AF command post exercise were tested three times--before departing home station, during the exercise, prior to redeployment as a mitigation against COVID-19. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

Staff Sgt. David Valego, right, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, receives the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernathy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, for his participation in the SETAF-AF command post exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command sergeant major, presents the first U.S. Army Europe and Africa coins of excellence to Soldiers who participated in the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Command Post Exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

Sgt. George Michalski, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, prepares to receive the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Coin of Excellence from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the USAREUR-AF command sergeant major, April 15, 2021, at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa command sergeant major, presents the first U.S. Army Europe and Africa coins of excellence to Soldiers who participated in the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Command Post Exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 15, 2021. The command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to the execution of the African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commander, provides guidance to the SETAF-AF staff during the command post exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, April 12, 2021. The SETAF-AF command post exercise, April 9-16, tested SETAF-AF's ability to integrate maritime, air and land components and execute its mission as an expeditionary joint task force prior to execution of African Lion 21 multinational exercise that will be conducted in Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal in June. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Devon Thomas, SETAF-Africa Public Affairs)

An Agents of Change volunteer signs the commanding general’s proclamation during the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month kickoff event on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, April 6, 2021. Agents of Change is a new initiative that trains Soldiers on how to intervene and prevent sexual harassment and assault. The proclamation the volunteers signed reinforces their commitment and dedication to the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Semaj Johnson)

Nigerien military representatives and a commercial carrier team receive Armored Personnel Carriers in northern Niger, March 2021. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa coordinated for the ground movement of 16 APCs to the Niger military that will support G-5 Sahel Joint Force efforts. (U.S. Army Photo)

Armored Personnel Carriers are prepared to depart Niamey, Niger, March 2021. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa coordinated for the ground movement of 16 APCs to the Niger military that will support G-5 Sahel Joint Force efforts in northern Niger. (U.S. Army Photo)

Sgt. 1st Class Myra Cason, with the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, reflects on why she serves in the U.S. Army. "The reason I first joined the military was because I wanted to be a part of an organization larger than myself. I wanted to give back in some way, and I felt that was the best way. I continue to serve because I love the job; I love the organization, and that's why I serve." - Sgt. 1st Class Myra Cason

A Royal Morocco Armed Forces officer explains the capabilities of a firing range March 20 during a site survey for exercise African Lion 21, scheduled for June. African Lion, U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise, has increased interoperability among U.S. partners and Allies since 2003. Plans for AL21 involve more than 10,000 troops from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and elsewhere. The global COVID-19 pandemic curtailed the previous year's exercise. Plans for AL21 include COVID-19 mitigations and flexible options to ensure maximum participation and value for participating countries. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Cain S. Claxton/Southern European Task Force, Africa)

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Soldiers conduct a diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test on Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, March 22, 2021. The test provides Soldiers an opportunity to learn which events they need to improve on to increase their overall physical fitness. Through the ACFT, the Army is strengthening its fitness culture by reducing injuries and increasing Army readiness. (U.S. Army photos by Christopher House)

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Rohling listens to a briefing during this year’s senior leadership forum, conducted in Vicenza, Italy, on March 16-17, 2021. The forum is an annual event, held to encourage discussion among SETAF-AF's leaders and ensure they have the current, consistent and comprehensive information necessary to achieve the organization’s short- and long-term objectives. (U.S. Army photo by Christopher House)

Lt. Col. John Baker, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Commander, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force-Africa, conducts battalion extremism training with service members and DOD Civilians on Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, March. 22, 2021. Extremism training provides ways to identify, report, and eliminate the behaviors and actions of service members that can cause a disruption in unit cohesion. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Semaj Johnson)

The NATO, Italian and American flags are at half mast as Italy marks the first national day of remembrance for Covid-19 victims, March 18. The Vicenza Military Community supported the host nation government initiative with a minute of silence beginning at 11 a.m. to pay tribute to the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, which, as of March 18, has killed more than 102,000 people in Italy. (U.S. Army Photo by USAG-Italy Public Affairs)

Seven U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB), Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) stand for a photo after their coining ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 12, 2021. The SFAB soldiers were recognized by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora, CJTF-HOA commanding general, for their immediate, lifesaving, response to a vehicle accident March 7, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Morgan L. Brown)