You can’t surge trust
The U.S. Army’s component of Africa Command has about 1,000 soldiers working in over 50 countries in Africa. As Army commands go, it’s small and underfunded, so it has to make do with innovative and farsighted programs and partnerships.
Admiral Mullen has said “You can’t surge trust.” That ought to be the working motto for U.S. Army Africa as they work daily to build trust.
Mission:
U.S. Army Africa, as the Army Service Component Command for U.S. Africa Command, enables full spectrum operations while conducting sustained security engagement with African land forces to promote security, stability, and peace. As directed, deploys a contingency headquarters in support of crisis response.
Vision:
America’s premier Army team dedicated to positive change in Africa.
Major General William B. Garrett III commands U.S. Army Africa, based out of Caserma Carlo Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. From there, the soldiers assigned to the command are given missions across the African continent. From Exercise Natural Fire 10 to teaching at the Ethiopian War College to anti-terror and anti-piracy missions operating out of Djibouti, the missions vary and the numbers of personnel assigned do as well.
While the partnerships with the armies of the African continent are important, the limited resources of the command also mean some creative partnerships with non governmental organizations, to maximize the efforts of both the U.S. Army and the aid groups involved. This may mean personnel supporting aid delivery to refugee camps, drilling wells in remote areas, or conducting veterinary clinics for the livestock of nomadic tribes.
In an interview today, MG Garrett pointed out that the fight against terror goes on every day in many parts of Africa, and the nations involved have been successful despite having fewer resources than most Western nations. The anti-terror fight is only bolstered by the educational and training opportunities that U.S. Army Africa brings to local militaries. He also made it clear that the humanitarian assistance missions are integral to the anti-terror fight, by building safety and security for populations that might otherwise be a breeding ground for terror.
Sgt. 1st Dedraf Blash is the first female NCO from U.S. Army Africa to take part in the Liberia Security Sector Reform program. Click on this image for the story
U.S. Army Africa is well represented in social media. Look for them –
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