The Marine Corps unfurled a new set of organizational colors today in a ceremony to announce its newest command.

Brigadier Gen. Tracy L. Garrett, commander of Marine Corps Forces, Europe (MARFOREUR), led the ceremony and announced the establishment of Marine Corps Forces, Africa (MARFORAF), a service component command to the newly established United States Africa Command which stood up Oct 1. Brig. Gen. Garrett now commands both MARFORAF and MARFOREUR.

MARFORAF is responsible for coordinating Marine Corps related operations and exercises, to include civil affairs and, when requested, military support to humanitarian assistance.

"The primary focus of the new command will be on engagement--through theater security cooperation activities--bringing U.S. Marine Corps competencies to the table in support of U.S. Africa Command." said Brig. Gen. Garrett.

Activities include senior-leader visits, military exercises, military-to-military contact, and military support, when appropriate and when requested, to humanitarian and civil affairs events throughout Africa.

These activities are focused on enabling Africans to provide their own security and stability, which in turn contributes to regional stability and sustained security in Africa and the international community.

"MARFORAF will work to provide advice and coordination to execute the U.S. Africa Command mission of promoting U.S. National Security objectives," said Col. Mario Lapaix, chief of staff, MARFORAF. "We will do this by working with African states and regional organizations to help strengthen stability and security in the region."

Prior to the establishment, MARFORAF Marines, whose headquarters is based in Panzer Kaserne here, had been in the process of integrating responsibilities and missions previously carried out by three separate commands: MARFOREUR; Marine Corps Forces, Central Command; and Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Now, MARFORAF assumes responsibility for Marine Corps portion of U.S. military support to U.S. foreign policy in all of Africa, except Egypt, where military coordination will remain the responsibility of U.S. Central Command.

Additionally, MARFORAF is focused on improving peacekeeping and supporting counter-terrorism capabilities to reduce the threat from organizations committed to violent extremism.