Special Operations Command Africa's new leader brings specific experience

“Thank you, thank you for making a difference, thank you for helping people to have a better life, thank you for helping them resist oppression. What we do matters, our small efforts have huge impact,” said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, outgoing commander, SOCAF.

“He knows AFRICOM. He’s worked in our Joint Special Operations Command specifically dealing with AFRICOM issues. He is exactly the right person.” - Gen. Clark

By Capt. Timothy Vaughan , Special Operations Command Africa STUTTGART, Germany Jul 13, 2021

View Gallery

Gallery contains 4 images

Members of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa welcomed its incoming commander, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Milton Sands III, and said farewell to the outgoing commander, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, during a change of command ceremony at Kelley Barracks near Stuttgart, Germany, July 1, 2021.

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, officiated the ceremony and led the symbolic change of leadership by passing the SOCAF colors from Anderson to Sands.

“There’s no playbook for how to do this,” Anderson said. “There’s no manual on Africa. What Africa does is always new and you find yourself reacting in order to get ahead of it. That’s what this headquarters has done.”

Anderson’s comments included thanks for SOCAF’s staff, partners, and family for their help, sacrifice and service during his tenure.

“I am passionate about this mission, and I don’t know how you can’t be passionate with people like this,” Anderson said. “Thank you, thank you for making a difference, thank you for helping people to have a better life, thank you for helping them resist oppression. What we do matters, our small efforts have huge impact.”

“Jamie Sands was in [U.S. Special Operations Command Europe] here in Stuttgart before there was a SOCAF,” said Gen. Richard Clark, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. “He knows AFRICOM. He’s worked in our Joint Special Operations Command specifically dealing with AFRICOM issues. He is exactly the right person.”

“As a command we will embody the core attributes of accountability, integrity, toughness and initiative,” Sands said. “We will accomplish our mission through good leadership, through teamwork, through partnerships, through clear intent, and strong support to you and your families. I’m honored and excited to be part of this SOCAF team.”

SOCAF is the operational command responsible for joint special operations conducted in support of U.S. Africa Command. Anderson took command of the unit in July 2019. SOCAF’s operations focus on countering violent extremist organizations, strengthening the defense capabilities of African partners and protecting U.S. interests in Africa.

Anderson’s next position will be deputy operations officer for the joint staff at the Pentagon. Sands now leads the joint force of approximately 1,700 service members. Like Anderson, Sands brings extensive SOF enterprise-level insight to the command.

Space Forces in Europe - Space Forces Africa holds change of command ceremony

U.S. Africa Command Special Operations Forces train alongside Tanzanian partners

U.S., Botswanan forces hone special operational skills

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

U.S. Africa Command special operations forces train alongside partners in Malawi

change of command

special operations command - africa

U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) chaplains participated in the 2025 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chaplains Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, April 9-11, 2025.

Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa

U.S. Africa Command’s annual, combined special operations exercise, kicked off in Côte d’Ivoire today. From April 24 – May 14, Flintlock 25 will bring together approximately 500 personnel from more than 30 nations to strengthen collective readiness in response to shared threats.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits U.S. Africa Command

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany, on Feb. 11, 2025, as part of his first overseas trip in office.

U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference

Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits U.S. Africa Command

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany, on Feb. 11, 2025, as part of his first overseas trip in office.

U.S. Military Chaplains Increase Readiness at SADC Chaplains Conference

Flintlock 2025: 20 Years of Enhancing SOF Readiness in Africa

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Visits U.S. Africa Command

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany, on Feb. 11, 2025, as part of his first overseas trip in office.

United States Africa Command

Special Operations Command Africa's new leader brings specific experience

“Thank you, thank you for making a difference, thank you for helping people to have a better life, thank you for helping them resist oppression. What we do matters, our small efforts have huge impact,” said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, outgoing commander, SOCAF.