US Army Africa planners pave the way for African Land Forces Summit 2016

Photo By Maj. Jason Welch | U.S. Army Africa planners and Tanzanian People’s Defense Force members visit the East African Community Headquarters Conference Center during a planning trip to Arusha, Tanzania, to prepare for the African Land Forces Summit 2016 in May. The African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) brings together the army chiefs of staff from multiple African nations to discuss regional and transregional topics.  

VICENZA, ITALY

10.02.2015

Story by Capt. Jason Welch 

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy – Planners from U.S. Army Africa conducted an initial planning event in Arusha, Tanzania, Sept. 20-25 with the Tanzania People’s Defense Force to coordinate support for the Africa Land Forces Summit 2016.
The TPDF and USARAF are hosting ALFS 2016 in Arusha in May.

ALFS is an annual, weeklong summit that brings together the land forces chiefs of staff from throughout the African continent to discuss mutual threats and challenges from a regional perspective.

“ALFS is the only forum for army chiefs to meet to discuss army specific issues,” said David Sutton, USARAF international relations desk planner.

During the open forum, participants identified ways ahead through proposed security cooperation initiatives, said Sutton.

The initial planning event held in Arusha is a major milestone on the road to the final summit, said Kevin Czarkowski, USARAF international relations chief and lead ALFS planner.

USARAF and Tanzanian planners conducted convergent planning at their home stations before meeting for the first time in person.

“The planning event held in Tanzania plays a vital role in the planning process,” said Czarkowski.

In Arusha, the planners from USARAF and members of the TPDF were able to discuss the requirements to support ALFS, including identifying life support for participants and proposals for cultural exchanges and training events, said Czarkowski.

The initial planning event is also the first step in bringing the many summit participants together.

“Planning events like this allow the rest of the army chiefs to participate in the planning process,” said Czarkowski.
Executive summaries are sent to all the participating army chiefs after every planning session to ensure that every participant arrives at the summit fully aware of what to expect, said Czarkowski.

ALFS 2015 was held in Dakar, Senegal, and 36 nations participated in the weeklong discussions about regional and transregional issues.

This is the first time that the summit will be held in Arusha, Tanzania.

• Date Taken: 10.02.2015
• Date Posted: 10.02.2015 11:08
• Story ID: 177824
• Location: VICENZA, IT