Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addresses U.S. Africa Command personnel during a town hall meeting Feb. 11, 2025, at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. geographic combatant commands, responsible for military engagement across 53 African nations. Working with partners and allies, the command counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, strengthens African security forces, and supports U.S. government efforts in Africa to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, visits Sirte. While there, he spoke with Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar, LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff, and other members of the LNA, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, together with Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori and Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt tour GNU security facilities, Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, together with Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt and Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Feb. 4, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command observes a group of students attending Shining Hope for Communities' (SHOFCO) development program in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. Combatting threats that drive instability starts with 3D,” said Langley. “As a 3D organization when enabling our African partners in a unified effort to promote regional security and prosperity, it requires a whole of government effort – Development, Diplomacy, and Defense.” (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

A local participant in Shining Hope for Communities' (SHOFCO) development program gives senior leaders from U.S. Africa Command a presentation on a vocational skill being taught by SHOFCO’s outreach efforts in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. Combatting threats that drive instability starts with 3D,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, AFRICOM. “As a 3D organization when enabling our African partners in a unified effort to promote regional security and prosperity, it requires a whole of government effort – Development, Diplomacy, and Defense.” (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

Senior leaders from U.S. Africa Command join Kennedy Odede, founder and chief executive officer, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), for tour of the local development’s current educational and programmatic efforts to build promise from poverty by igniting transformation in urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. and commander of U.S. Africa Command Michael Langley alongside members of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi meet with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, Nov. 25, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya, AFRICOM’s commitment to enabling partner effectiveness and bilateral efforts on counterterrorism operations continued. During discussions, partners shared their concerns about regional security and emphasized the importance of partnership to promote peace and security in the region. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo)

A local participant in Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) development program gives U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command a presentation on water sanitation efforts provided by SHOFCO’s outreach efforts in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. Providing very low-cost water to the Kibera community as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education facilitated by community health workers is one of five approaches SHOFCO takes to provide critical services to the local community. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, alongside Chargé d’Affaires, Marc Dillard, walk out of meeting with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, Nov. 25, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Langley’s visit was part of a week-long visit to eastern Africa countries, which focused on engaging strategic and interagency partners, and civil society organizations about topics geared toward addressing challenges, opportunities and threats that impact regional stability. In Kenya, AFRICOM’s commitment to enabling partner effectiveness and bilateral efforts on counterterrorism operations continued. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo)

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), visited Parakou Base, Benin, and listened in on a training session with Forces des Armées Beninoises on border security and deployment in support of Operation Mirador. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is responsible for supporting AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), takes a group photo with U.S. Africa Command personnel, members of the U.S. Embassy Cotonou Office of Security Cooperation, Team Benin CFT, and 2nd BN leadership in Benin after they received briefs about Operation Mirador and Forces des Armées Beninoises border security training. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is responsible for supporting AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ambassador Howard A. Van Vranken, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, attend a brief about The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Gaborone, Botswana, June 27, 2024.  The PEPFAR and USAID through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), supports the Advancing Partners and Communities Project in Botswana (APC Botswana). The project's core funding covers grants management and capacity building for community-based family planning activities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary Linniman)

The commander of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley speaks to a group of U.S. Marines during a troop engagement, Nov. 4, 2024 in Libreville, Gabon. As a Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard, the Marines are responsible for being trained and fully equipped to serve at designated U.S. diplomatic missions in support of the Department of State in the protection of personnel, classified material, and U.S. property. (U.S. State Department photo by Joshua Root)

The commander of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley speaks to a group of U.S. troops and State Department personnel on the importance their role plays in supporting the command’s charge of uniting with African partners to promote regional security, stability and prosperity, Nov. 6, 2024 in Monrovia, Liberia. From Nov. 4-10, 2024, Gen. Langley expanded his campaign of learning footprint to three western region countries on the continent of Africa – Gabon, Liberia, and Nigeria. (U.S. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Maj. Mahalia Frost)

A group of neonatal nurses with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) show U.S. Marine Corps Gen. and commander of U.S. Africa Command Michael Langley the medical care provided to babies in the pediatric unit at a local clinic in Abuja, Nigeria, Nov. 9, 2024. When facing complex challenges whether it’s from combatting violent extremist organizations or other factors that yield instability, Nigeria’s strategic efforts to tackle its known insecurities, extend beyond its military. The Nigerian Armed Force’s commitment to addressing health issues can be seen in their collaboration both on medical care initiatives with U.S. Agency for International Development and through the public health partnership between the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense’s Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, which resulted in the establishment of Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory, an internationally accredited facility. (U.S. Department of State photo by Benevolent Okpogor)

Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Researchers at Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja, Nigeria, present information of the ministry’s efforts to combat global health insecurity to leaders of the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Africa Command during a tour in Abuja, Nigeria, Nov. 9, 2024. Commissioned in 2012, through the public health partnership between the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense’s Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory, an internationally accredited facility, was established. “What I saw here today is a true example of health diplomacy and also strategic ways of focusing on building enduring security relations, especially when dealing with threats of infectious disease,” Langley stated. (U.S. Department of State photo by Benevolent Okpogor)

Researchers at Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory in Abuja, Nigeria, alongside leaders of the Nigerian Ministry of Defence, give U.S. Marine Corps Gen. and commander of U.S. Africa Command Michael Langley a tour of the tuberculous research facility Nov. 9, 2024. Commissioned in 2012, through the public health partnership between the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and U.S. Department of Defense’s Walter Reed Army Institute for Research, Nigeria’s Defence Reference Laboratory, an internationally accredited facility, was established. “What I saw here today is a true example of health diplomacy and also strategic ways of focusing on building enduring security relations, especially when dealing with threats of infectious disease,” Langley stated. (U.S. Department of State photo by Benevolent Okpogor)

The commander of U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley signs Nigeria’s 18th Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa’s visitor book following their meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, Nov. 8, 2024. Alongside the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Mills, Jr., and some AFRICOM staff, Langley’s conversation focused on advancing shared security interests, global health security, development, and resource challenges. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Nigerian Armed Forces)