Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Lance Pounds | (From left) Col. Gregory Anderson, 173rd Airborne Brigade commander, and Maj. Gen....... read more read more
Subscribe
VICENZA, Italy – Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, U.S. Army Africa commanding general, hosted an “open house” media engagement for local media agencies, Dec. 17, at the Golden Lion conference center, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy.
The event was an opportunity for senior leaders to inform their host nation audience of missions and activities in Africa and Europe, as well as highlight the close relationship the units have with Italy.
Commanders from USARAF, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, and the Italian base commander, each provided short presentations with commentary of what their respective units do.
Williams opened with his presentation of what USARAF is about, to include examples of the activities they perform in Africa.
Williams explains the USARAF campaign strategy African Horizons, which is to build partnerships over time and across echelons.
“My vision is to be a long term partner on the continent of Africa,” said Williams.
Williams briefly mentioned USARAF’s role in the Ebola epidemic of last year, and how they could not have accomplished that mission without the hospitality of Italy.
Next to speak was Col. Gregory Anderson the 173rd ABCT commander and native of San Jose, Calif. Anderson is new to Italy, however he said, it is somewhat of a reunion for him because he had relatives who where from the area.
“Our position here is absolutely crucial in our ability to accomplish our missions,” said Anderson. He also said that the 173rd was reactivated here in 2000.
“Our mission here is to provide a response force, within 18 hours, to support our commanders needs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” Anderson said.
Anderson said he his very grateful for the assistance from the Italian Army, Italian government, Italian community, as well as the Carabinieri, to train forces to respond to regional crises.
USARAF and the 173rd make up the tenant units of Vicenza military community, but it was the next two speakers’ roles to keep the VMC running like a well-oiled machine.
The USAG Italyc ommander, Col. Steven Marks, a native of Columbia, Missouri, briefly introduced himself then forwarded the audience’s attention to his deputy commander, Wesley Leisinger, a native of Houston, who highlighted some of what is happening on the base.
USAG Italy supports more than 25 tenant units, which equates to more than 16,000 Service Members, Families, Retirees and Department of Defense Civilians who work and live in the area.
Leisinger explain how the military’s presence impacts the local area, both economically and socially. He said the U.S. Army’s annual contribution to the Vicenza area exceeds $250 million.
“Our partnership with our host nation and our local community is extremely important to us to ensure we can provide the best programs and service to our Soldiers and Families here,” said Leisinger.
In addition to USAG Italy, Italian Col. Umberto D’ Andria, Italian base commander and native of Taranto, provides assistance in the form of installation management.
D’ Andria introduced himself to the local media for the first time since he assumed his position as base commander in November. His position places him in charge of all Italian military installations, in use by U.S. forces, located in the Vicenza area.
D’ Andria said part of why he was speaking today was to show how strong the bond is between Italy and the U.S.
This bond was mentioned by one local journalist, Angelica Montagna, a freelance journalist working with JOI television and native of Bassano Del Grappa, following a brief question and answer session held at the conclusion of the event.
“I was impressed to see that the U.S. and Italian officials are working so closely together,” said Montagna.
Montagna also said for her the event was beneficial because, “it is not easy to know what happens beyond the walls surrounding the installations.”
“It is important to the people of Vicenza to know how you are helping us,” Montagna said. “This is my home and I would like to know what is happening in the area.”
Laura Pilastro, a reporter for the Giornale di Vicenza newspaper and local native, said she liked seeing how important host nations were to the U.S. Army.
Pilastro said she considered the information given during the event was “very useful” and that it enables her to become a type of ambassador, communicating what she has learned about the U.S. working and living in Italy to her readers.
This event offered not only an opportunity for the senior leaders operating in Vicenza to inform the local community on what it is they do, it also served as an opportunity to show gratitude to the residents of their host nation.
“We are very proud to work and live in Vicenza,” said Williams. “Thank you for sharing your beautiful country with us.”
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2015 05:19 |
| Story ID: | 185410 |
| Location: | VICENZA, IT |
| Hometown: | BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, IT |
| Hometown: | TARANTO, IT |
| Hometown: | VICENZA, IT |
| Hometown: | COLUMBIA, MO, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Hometown: | SAN JOSE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Vicenza military leaders engage local media, by SFC Lance Pounds, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT