United States Africa Command

Cabo Verde Joint Combined Exchange Training

U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside partners in Benin

Pan-African air mobility unit plans developed

Malawian Maritime Force JCET culmination exercise

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Pan-African air mobility unit plans developed

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Association of African Air Forces: twenty-seven African nations come together

Association of African Air Forces: twenty-seven African nations come together

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Luanda, Angola

U.S. Partnering with Benin to combat piracy in Gulf of Guinea

Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk crew strengthens security cooperation with port visit in Côte d’Ivoire

Partners host inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network Event in Botswana

Partners host inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network Event in Botswana

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk crew calls port in The Gambia, Sierra Leone

AFRICOM delegation visits Namibia to develop security cooperation, partnership efforts

Photo by: DoD photo by Ms. Lori Enright

Cabo Verde Joint Combined Exchange Training

U.S. Army Rangers assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group teach the Cabo Verdean National Guard tactical movements during a Joint Combined Exchange Training in Praia, Cabo Verde, On Sept. 7, 2022. The teams focused on honing basic skills such as close quarters battles, small unit tactics and mission planning.

Photo by: Senior Airman Alexandra Minor, PRAIA, Capo Verde

U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside partners in Benin

Beninese soldiers from the 1st Commando Parachute Battalion provide security for the Alpha platoon during a Joint Combined Exercise Training in Ouassa, Benin, on Sept. 7, 2022. International engagement is necessary to counter violent extremism, and our military engagements are just one way we support African partners as part of an international community.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes, OUASSA, Benin

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, AFRICOM senior enlisted advisor, assess security and force protection measures at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, on Aug. 30, 2022. "Cooperative Security Location-Manda Bay is an important operational base for U.S. Africa Command forces in the region. The missions here are possible thanks to the exceptional relationship we have with our Kenyan partners and their commitment to regional security and stability," Langley said.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dallin Wrye, Manda Bay, Kenya

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Amb. Larry André, U.S. Embassy in Somalia, meet with Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Somalia on Aug. 29, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: courtesy photo

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

Amb. Larry André, U.S. Embassy in Somalia, greets U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, on Aug. 29 in Somalia as part of visits in East Africa. Meetings here stressed a whole-of-government approach to support security assistance/training programs that build capacity for partners to achieve regional stability.

Photo by: courtesy photo

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

The Honorable Johnathan Pratt, U.S. ambassador to Djibouti, greets U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, as he arrives at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Previc

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, right, commander, U.S. Africa Command, greets Sadie Tucker, foreign policy advisor for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Aug. 28, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Army Sgt. Kiersten Breunig

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, speaks during an awards ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip by senior leaders to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Senior Airman Destani Matheny

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, speaks during an awards ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022. The engagement was part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Senior Airman Destani Matheny

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, speak with Sgt. Jeffrey Powell, Marine Security Guard Detachment Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022, as part of a troop engagement for Langley’s first visit to Africa as U.S. Africa Command’s commanding general. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Master Sgt. Daryl Knee

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Francis, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason P. Colón, command senior enlisted leader of CJTF-HOA, pose for a photo on Aug. 28, 2022. The engagement was part of a four-day trip by senior leaders to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Sgt. Kiersten Breunig

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa participate in a CJTF-HOA capabilities brief on Aug. 28, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: U.S. Army Sgt. Kiersten Breunig

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Army Maj. Christian Gehrels, acting defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy Djibouti, greets U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, as he arrives at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022. The greeting came on the front-end of a four-day trip by senior leaders to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Senior Airman Destani Matheny

Langley makes first visit to Africa as commander

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, participate in a CJTF-HOA capabilities brief on Aug. 28, 2022. The visit came as part of a four-day trip to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand.

Photo by: Sgt. Kiersten Breunig

Pan-African air mobility unit plans developed

Tunisian air force Col. Kais Sghaier, 11th Air Unit commander, briefs liaison officers about the Air Transport Sharing Mechanism during the Association of African Air Forces’ 2022 LNO Working Group in Kasane, Botswana, Aug. 25, 2022. The ATSM goal is to enhance the African Union’s strategic lift capability.

Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage, Kasane, Botswana

Malawian Maritime Force JCET culmination exercise

Members of the Malawian Maritime Force drive zodiac boats up on to shore during a Joint Combined Exchange Training in Monkey Bay, Malawi, June 22, 2022. JCETS enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes, Malawi

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, poses with African partners during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23. The conference serves as a venue for all participating nations to collaborate with and learn from each other while discussing key challenges faced across the continent and avenues to discuss how we can best work together to address those challenges.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

From left to right, California's National Guard State Sergeant Major Lynn Williams and Nigeria's Warrant Officer Abdullahi Baba make notes during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23.. California and Nigeria have been state partners in the State Partnership Program since 2006.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Pan-African air mobility unit plans developed

Airmen from the U.S. and various African nations discuss proposal plans during the Air Transport Sharing Mechanism capstone in Kasane, Botswana, Aug. 23, 2022. The working group discussed the creation of the African Air Mobility Coordination Center to enhance the African Union’s strategic lift capability.

Photo by: Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage, Kasane, Botswana

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

The 2022 Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference, held in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23, serves as a venue for all participating nations to collaborate with and learn from each other while discussing key challenges faced across the continent and avenues to discuss how we can best work together to address those challenges.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Senior Enlisted leaders from various African partners, U.S. National Guards, U.S. Africa Command, and its components gathered to discuss the way ahead to build partner capacity, enhance regional cooperation, and increase interoperability during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23. The conference serves as a venue for all participating nations to collaborate with and learn from each other while discussing key challenges faced across the continent and avenues to discuss how we can best work together to address those challenges.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

African partners pose during the Africa Senior Enlisted Leader Conference in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23. The conference serves as a venue for all participating nations to collaborate with and learn from each other while discussing key challenges faced across the continent and avenues to discuss how we can best work together to address those challenges.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Leadership by example: AFRICOM hosts senior enlisted conference

Tanzania's Sergeant Major Aabdallah Kitema (left) and Liberia's Forces Sergeant Major Cooper Manqueh pose during the Africa Senior Enlisted Conference held in Rome, Italy, from Aug. 22-23. The conference serves as a venue for all participating nations to collaborate with and learn from each other while discussing key challenges faced across the continent and avenues to discuss how we can best work together to address those challenges.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez, Rome, Italy

Association of African Air Forces: twenty-seven African nations come together

Senior Enlisted Forum members participate in a team building exercise during the Association of African Air Forces’ 2022 LNO Working Group in Kasane, Botswana, Aug. 23, 2022. Senior enlisted from 18 African nations participated in the four-day forum.

Photo by: Master Sgt. Michael Battles, KASANE, Botswana

Association of African Air Forces: twenty-seven African nations come together

Botswana Defence Force Brigadier Collen Mastercee Maruping, acting deputy air arm commander, gives remarks during the Association of African Air Forces’ 2022 LNO Working Group opening ceremonies in Kasane, Botswana, Aug. 22, 2022. The AAAF was established in 2015 when three African partner nations - Mauritania, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal - along with the U.S. signed the AAAF Charter. Today, the organization has grown to a 28-member nation.

Photo by: Master Sgt. Michael Battles, KASANE, Botswana

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams arrives in Luanda, Angola

The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams sails through the Mozambique Channel, Aug. 18, 2022. Hershel "Woody" Williams is rotationally deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Murakami, Mozambique Channel

U.S. Partnering with Benin to combat piracy in Gulf of Guinea

Sunset view of the recently completed boat launch project in Cotonou, Benin, on Aug. 12, 2022. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered the project as part of a larger program led by the U.S. Africa Command and the U.S. Embassy in Benin in support of bolstering Beninese maritime policing capabilities as they play a key role in combatting regional piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Photo by: courtesy photo, Cotonou, Benin

Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk crew strengthens security cooperation with port visit in Côte d’Ivoire

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk's crew arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for a scheduled port visit Aug. 12. While in Abidjan, the Mohawk crew exchanged with Côte d’Ivoire maritime forces on medical response treatment, close quarters combat and casualty care, illegal contraband collection and handling, and visit, board, search and seizure demonstrations. Over the last decade, the U.S. has increased maritime security cooperation with partners on Africa’s Atlantic coast to improve maritime domain awareness and the protection of their sovereign waters.

Photo by: courtesy photo, ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Gen. Stephen Townsend, outgoing commander, U.S. Africa Command, passes the guidon to The Honorable Lloyd Austin III, secretary of defense, during a change of command ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022. Austin presided over the ceremony at Kelley Barracks, where nearly 400 guests from around the world gathered for the change of command.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Gen. Stephen Townsend (right), outgoing commander, U.S. Africa Command, hails Gen. Michael Langley, incoming commander, U.S. Africa Command, during a change of command in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022. Townsend, who led U.S. Africa Command since July 2019, retired following the ceremony after a U.S. Army career spanning four decades.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, marches the U.S. Africa Command colors to the stage during a change of command ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Breanne Donnell

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander, U.S. European Command, meets with Gen. Thierry Burkhard, French chief of defense, following a U.S. Africa Command change of command ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022. The ceremony, held for Gen. Stephen Townsend (not pictured) to transfer command to Gen. Michael Langley (not pictured), was attended by nearly 400 guests including international, partner-nation and interagency dignitaries and leaders.

Photo by: Patrick Loch

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin passes the U.S. Africa Command guidon to Gen. Michael Langley, incoming commander, U.S. Africa Command, during a change of command ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022. Langley became the sixth commander since the command was established in 2008.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Gen. Michael Langley, incoming commander, U.S. Africa Command, speaks with Ms. Chidi Blyden, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs, before a change of command ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9. Core to U.S. Africa Command’s mission is to work with allies and partners in a whole-of-government approach where defense supports diplomatic and development efforts to address shared security threats.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

Distinguished guests for the U.S. Africa Command change of command ceremony included international and partner-nation chiefs of defense, German officials and fellow service and component leadership.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez

U.S. Africa Command welcomes new leader

The official party, from left to right, for the U.S. Africa Command change of command held in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 9, 2022: The Honorable Lloyd Austin III, secretary of defense; Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Stephen Townsend, outgoing commander, U.S. Africa Command; Gen. Michael Langley, incoming commander, U.S. Africa Command.

Photo by: Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez

Partners host inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network Event in Botswana

Legal advisors and professionals from 40 African nations gathered in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 8, 2022, for the sixth African Military Law Forum, an event hosted by U.S. Africa Command, the North Carolina National Guard, and the Botswana Defence Force. The forum included the inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network meeting, which took place Aug. 6, to promote equity in the military.

Photo by: Maj. Briana McFarland, Gaborone, Botswana

Partners host inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network Event in Botswana

U.S. Africa Command’s Office of Legal Counsel co-hosted the inaugural Women’s African Military Professional Legal Network, along with the Botswana Defence Force, at the Grand Palm Convention Center in Gaborone, Botswana, on Aug. 6, 2022. This inaugural event was part of the larger sixth African Military Law Forum that took place later in the week from Aug. 8-10, co-sponsored with the North Carolina National Guard and the BDF.

Photo by: courtesy photo, Botswana

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk crew calls port in The Gambia, Sierra Leone

The Famous-class medium endurance cutter USCGC Mohawk sails into the sunset in the Atlantic Ocean, July 19, 2022. USCGC Mohawk is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.