Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett | U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in...... read more read more
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AGADIR, Morocco – U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), plays a pivotal role at the exercise.
Born in Kpalimé, Togo, Tse oversees the movement of personnel—including distinguished visitors (DVs)—across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, ensuring logistical precision for an exercise involving 10,000 troops from over 50 nations. For Tse, AL25 is more than a mission; it’s a homecoming to the continent where he was born, blending personal heritage with professional purpose.
“My role is to plan and provide manifests for all personnel movements, from start to finish,” Tse said. “Whether it’s troops or DVs, I make sure everyone gets where they need to be to keep AL25 running smoothly.”
A global career, built on adaptability
Tse’s journey began in a bustling city 120 kilometers north of Lomé, the capital of Togo. After immigrating to the U.S., he settled in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which he now considers his second home. Enlisting as an automated logistics specialist, Tse built a diverse career, serving as a squad leader, warehouse NCOIC, platoon sergeant, drill sergeant and operations sergeant.
His assignments have taken him across the world, including Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, as well as nine months in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Poland.
“I’ve served across the globe, from Afghanistan to Poland,” Tse said. “Each assignment taught me how to deliver under pressure and adapt to new challenges.”
Now with SETAF-AF, Tse’s expertise ensures AL25’s complex personnel movements are seamless, supporting the exercise’s goals of enhancing combat readiness and interoperability among African and NATO partners.
Turning challenges into growth
Tse credits his skilled team for helping him manage AL25’s logistical demands. Yet, his career has presented its share of challenges, most notably mastering the art of briefing general officers (GOs) with concise, actionable information.
“Briefing GOs is an art—giving them exactly what they need, simply and effectively,” he said. “My team has been incredible, helping me refine that skill from day one. I’m still learning every day.”
This reliance on teamwork mirrors Tse’s approach to AL25’s multinational setting, where he navigates language and cultural differences to keep operations on track, from troop manifests to DV schedules.
Leadership as a mindset
Tse views leadership as a mindset rooted in adaptability and clear communication, guiding teams toward shared objectives. During AL25, he has witnessed this principle in action as leaders collaborate across offices, ensuring mission alignment.
“In this exercise, leadership is about clear communication at every level,” he said. “We’re all working together, from junior NCOs to senior officers, to make this happen.”
His leadership shines in coordinating logistics across four countries, ensuring every echelon—from planners to executors—functions as a cohesive unit.
A legacy of impact
As AL25 progresses, Tse reflects on the legacy he is crafting. Returning to Africa to support the training of African militaries resonates deeply, tying his personal roots to his professional impact.
“I want to tell the story of coming back to my continent, helping improve combat readiness and operational efficiency,” he said. “That’s what this mission means to me.”
His advice to young soldiers is straightforward yet powerful.
“Do what’s right. Strive to be better than yesterday and aim for the top,” advised Tse.
It is a philosophy that has guided his own path of service and growth.
A life anchored in heritage and purpose
Tse maintains a strong connection to Kpalimé, even as he builds a life in Gaithersburg. These dual homes represent a bridge between his past and present, grounding him amid the demands of military service.
“Gaithersburg is home, but Kpalimé will always be part of me,” he said. “It’s where I learned the value of hard work and community.”
As AL25 concludes, Tse’s contributions underscore the power of adaptability, teamwork and purpose. His story bridges continents and cultures, leaving a lasting mark on this historic exercise.
About African Lion
AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2025 02:55 |
| Story ID: | 498307 |
| Location: | AGADIR, MA |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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