African Land Forces Summit 21 goes virtual

VICENZA, ITALY

05.17.2021

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

One of the command’s most important annual engagements is the African Land Forces Summit, scheduled to be held virtually this week on May 19.

Despite preferring an in-person summit, the U.S. Army has organized a virtual ALFS for 2021 because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Taking into consideration travel limitations and the health and safety of country delegations, the U.S. Army is utilizing a widely accepted communication technology to host the ninth annual ALFS.

Gathered together into smaller, regionally focused groups, land force senior 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.”

SETAF-AF, formerly U.S. Army Africa, has coordinated ALFS since 2010. First held in Washington, D.C., ALFS has been conducted on the African continent since 2012.

Headquartered in Vicenza, Italy, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa supports U.S. Army campaign objectives across 53 African nations. SETAF-AF’s skilled, dedicated and highly-trained Soldiers and civilians protect and promote U.S. national security interests, while supporting African partners who share our security goals.

In October, the U.S. Army consolidated U.S. Army Europe and U.S. Army Africa into a single, four-star Army service component command. This change modernizes force posture to match current realities and future requirements. By elevating the U.S. Army Africa headquarters from a two-star to a four-star command, the Army enhanced the consolidated organization’s ability to coordinate across Africa and Europe. Two regions that share many common and inter-connected security concerns.

SETAF-AF, in alignment with U.S. Army Europe and Africa and in coordination with U.S. Africa Command, supports all U.S. Army operations and assets on the African continent and in Italy. The command partners with African land force militaries; directs and supports the activities of U.S. Army personnel serving in Africa; conducts security cooperation activities; conducts joint and multinational exercises; protects U.S. personnel and facilities; ensures U.S. Army readiness to respond to crises; and works alongside our joint and international partners to address shared security concerns in Africa.

The U.S. Army remains committed to strengthening partnerships in Africa. Supporting our African partners remains paramount to American national defense and security interests. SETAF-AF will continue to engage with our partners, support partner capacity building, and promote regional security, stability and prosperity in Africa.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2021
• Date Posted: 05.17.2021 04:43
• Story ID: 396571
• Location: VICENZA, IT