VICENZA, Italy — Senior leaders from across U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) gathered for the SETAF-AF Senior Leader Forum, reinforcing the command’s commitment to readiness, regional partnerships and operational excellence at Caserma Ederle, Feb. 19, 2026.
Commanders, command sergeants major and key staff assembled at the semiannual forum to discuss current challenges, align strategic priorities and enhance coordination across the theater. Through a series of briefings, collaborative sessions and leadership discussions, participants examined ways to improve force posture while maintaining the agility required to support missions throughout Europe and Africa.
Ray Shisler, strategy integration planner for SETAF-AF's G-5 directorate, said the forum serves as a critical touchpoint for leadership across the formation.
“This is a key opportunity for the [SETAF-AF] commanding general [U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey] and command sergeant major [U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Chad B. Harness] to provide priorities, guidance and open dialogue with leaders across the force,” Shisler said. “It ensures everyone is moving in the same direction and clearly understands the commander’s intent.”
Shisler, who has served with SETAF-AF for a year and a half, said this session emphasized communication down to the lowest levels.
“This time, an unclassified portion was included so company commanders and first sergeants could hear directly from senior leaders,” he said. “It strengthens transparency and helps leaders at every echelon understand what is expected of them.”
During the forum, the SETAF command team recognized excellence across the formation, presenting coins to 15 Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians. They also highlighted a military intelligence analyst recently recognized as one of the Army’s top military intelligence analysts of 2025.
The theme of this year’s forum, “Irreversible Momentum,” focused on sustaining progress during a period of transition and change within the command.
“We’re entering a season of leadership transitions and evolving mission requirements,” Shisler said. “The forum allows us to reflect on recent operations, anticipate future challenges and ensure we remain adaptable in a constantly changing environment.”
Command leaders emphasized operational readiness, leader development and the integration of multinational capabilities. Discussions underscored the importance of disciplined training, adaptable formations and clear communication to maintain a credible, capable force.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson, chief medical noncommissioned officer enlisted advisor assigned to the SETAF-AF surgeon’s directorate, said the forum fosters unity of effort across organizations.
“It brings our organizations together from brigade elements to directorates, so we understand the same messaging and can synchronize our efforts,” Robinson said. “That unity of effort creates a one-team approach to mission command and execution.”
Robinson added that hearing directly from senior leadership clarifies priorities and strengthens cohesion across the formation.
“The senior leader forum levels the messaging,” she said. “Receiving guidance directly from the commanding general ensures we understand why we’re doing what we’re doing and how we move forward together as an organization.”
The SETAF-AF Senior Leader Forum demonstrates the command’s dedication to building strong leadership networks and ensuring forces remain ready, responsive and capable of executing missions whenever called upon.
SETAF-AF is the U.S. Army’s forward, expeditionary headquarters on the edge of three continents, built to respond quickly and operate where others cannot. The command strengthens African partners, expands crisis-response options for three combatant commands, and keeps forces ready to fight tonight.