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VICENZA, Italy — U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) placed innovation at the center of this year’s African Land Forces Summit, held in Rome, Italy, March 22–24. With more than 30 African partner nations represented, the summit served as a strategic platform for discussing shared security challenges, strengthening land force cooperation and accelerating modernization across the continent.
The event highlighted SETAF-AF’s three most forward-leaning organizations: the Advanced Capabilities Directorate, the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s Bayonet Innovation Team, as well as the Joint Theater Forensics Analysis Center. Together, these teams demonstrated how emerging technologies, rapid experimentation and applied science are shaping the future of land operations in Africa.
“ALFS is an annual summit where land force commanders from Africa meet with U.S. senior military leaders and multinational partners to discuss shared security concerns,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Smolucha, lead planner of ALFS 2026, Security Cooperation Directorate, SETAF-AF. “This year was different because we brought private industry, innovators, academia and investors, all with the intent to engage defense economics in Africa.”
Throughout the summit, SETAF-AF’s ACD, BIT and JTFAC personnel demonstrated their forward-leaning capabilities to summit participants, industry leaders and African partners.
“The summit sought to first define the security threat, and how intelligence gathering can address that threat,” Smolucha said. “From there, we deliberately focused on innovation, drone usage and counter drones, which heavily involves the industrial base.”
The JTFAC team emphasized that intelligence gathering requires adaptability above all else.
“All of the captured exploitable material that we analyze can be used in prosecutions, for law enforcement support,” said Lydia Benyam, JTFAC’s laboratory manager. “We use a customizable ‘fly-away’ kit, which teams utilize to collect forensic material, whether on land, air or sea. This feeds directly into the intelligence cycle through databases and information sharing, and assists with force protection of U.S. personnel and partner forces.”
The lab’s job is to interpret forensic material precisely and quickly. As the only deployable forensic laboratory supporting U.S. Africa Command, JTFAC provides rapid, expeditionary analysis that helps the joint force identify threat networks, track illicit activity and strengthen rule-of-law outcomes.
Whether it’s DNA or biometrics, electronic exploitation or material analysis, Benyam said the JTFAC brings scientific tools to the tactical edge.
Joining Benyam at the summit, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Ethan Burdette, a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s BIT, also discussed his team’s role in providing innovative solutions to security challenges.
“I received a degree in unmanned aircraft systems science,” Burdette said. “The brigade was looking for what I could bring to the table in developing first-person-view drone technology, and commercial off-the-shelf intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms as well.”
The 173rd has procured the materials and manufactured in-house drones since March 2025, making history with the U.S. Army’s first drone-on-drone kill at a live-fire event in August 2025.
“Engaging with African partners and industry professionals at ALFS 2026 gives us a chance to show the world that we are ready, empowered and disciplined,” Burdette said.
ALFS participants conducted many bilateral discussions with industry and partner nations seeking to expand their own modernization pathways. Many of these conversations focused on how small, incremental advancements, such as improved data-sharing mechanisms or modular communications kits, can have significant impact on operational readiness.
“Along with the JTFAC and BIT, the Advanced Capabilities Directorate focused on the future innovations that SETAF-AF will need to address security challenges,” Smolucha said.
This year’s summit theme, “Empowering shared security through intelligence, innovation and industry,” aligns closely with SETAF-AF’s strategic priorities. The ACD emphasized that technology alone cannot solve complex security challenges. Instead, progress depends on trust, interoperability and shared understanding.
“This year’s ALFS represents a fundamental shift from aid to trade,” Smolucha said. “We want independent partners who are strong, well equipped and well trained. This doesn’t come without trust and ongoing communication.”
Benyam echoed this sentiment, highlighting the human dimension of scientific cooperation.
“Forensics is ultimately about people — protecting them, empowering them and helping them pursue justice,” Benyam said. “Our partnerships in Africa are built on mutual trust and respect. It’s a shared commitment to stability.”
As ALFS 2026 concluded, SETAF-AF leaders emphasized that the summit is not an endpoint but a catalyst. The engagements, demonstrations and technical exchanges that took place in Rome will inform future exercises, experimentation events and capacity-building initiatives across the continent.
“What we achieved here at ALFS was a demonstration of our commitment,” Smolucha said. “We also facilitated a change in our partners’ mindset, especially in bringing industry and investors to the summit.”
The next visible proof of this ongoing commitment comes this spring at Exercise African Lion, held in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, where the capabilities of SETAF-AF’s ACD, BIT and JTFAC teams will be on full display, honing their skills together with partner nations.
“ALFS can be seen as a springboard for innovation through defense economics, one that starts here at the summit and flows right into our military exercises in Africa throughout the year,” Smolucha said.
For SETAF-AF, the summit’s message was clear: Innovation is not a buzzword — it is a responsibility. ALFS 2026 showcased that SETAF-AF continues to ensure U.S. and African land forces are equipped, informed and connected for the future battlefield.
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2026 16:33 |
| Story ID: | 561876 |
| Location: | ROME, IT |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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