AFRICOM: SETAF – Supporting Positive Change in Africa

Southern European Task Force – U.S. Army Africa — What is it?

‘A team like no other,’ the United States Southern European Task Force (SETAF) is the Army’s premier organization dedicated to achieving positive change in Africa. As the Army component to U.S. Africa Command, SETAF, in concert with national and international partners, conducts sustained security engagement with African land forces to promote peace, stability and security in Africa. As directed, SETAF will deploy as a contingency headquarters in support of crisis response.

What has the Army done?

Acknowledging the emerging strategic importance of Africa, U.S. Africa Command was formed Oct. 1, 2007. The U.S. Army has worked with the Defense Department to further develop, organize and unify the military capability for U.S. Africa Command. SETAF, stationed in Vicenza, Italy, since 1955, has a long history of operating on the continent and partnering with African nations. For the past 15 years, SETAF has provided crisis response, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance on the African continent.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

SETAF is learning, growing and building capacity and capability to meet the requirements needed to coordinate U.S. Army activities in Africa. SETAF will build and strengthen relationships with African army organizations, along with national and international partners to promote a stable and secure Africa.

Specifically, SETAF will continue to refine its operational practices while focusing in four areas: Grow, Partner, Engage and Act. It will lay the foundation for future success while preparing to assume full responsibility for all U.S. Army operations in Africa. SETAF will also become a trusted and reliable partner for African militaries and security institutions, our allies, our U.S. Africa Command teammates, and other U.S. government agencies and international organizations working in Africa. SETAF will collaborate with African partner nations to transform security forces into contributors to peace with the capabilities and capacity required to accomplish the mission in support of lawful authorities.

Amid this transformation, SETAF will sustain and grow its enduring bilateral relationships with Italian military and civil institutions and among the Italian communities where we live.
Why is this important to the Army?

Since the 1990’s, SETAF has teamed with African nations as part of its operational focus. SETAF routinely conducted military-to-military training activities in Africa and performed humanitarian relief operations in Africa; Liberia, Rwanda, Uganda, Congo and former Zaire. The transformation to U.S. Army Africa allows SETAF to focus primarily on emerging African nations and build the capacity of our African partners, and better enable them to both improve security and prevent conflict.