During a visit to the headquarters of U.S. Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy, May 4-5, 2009, General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, recognized the important role of non-commissioned officers (NCO) to U.S. military engagements in Africa.

Many U.S. military missions in Africa are led by NCOs -- a fact Ward recognized is even more significant as the U.S. Army celebrates the Year of the NCO in 2009.

"There's no finer example than our NCOs," Ward said.

NCOs with U.S. Army Africa, the Army component of U.S. AFRICOM, support the command in a variety of assignments to help improve the capacity of African militaries, build partnerships and promote professional military forces.

In Rwanda, U.S. Army NCOs currently work alongside troops from the United Kingdom mentoring Rwandan soldiers. In Liberia, more than a dozen Army NCOs support the Liberia Security Sector Reform, a U.S. State Department-led effort to help rebuild the Armed Forces of Liberia., working alongside international partners.

Other mentorship missions include logistics programs in Botswana, Uganda and Rwanda. A U.S. Army Africa officer is underway with the African Partnership Station, a U.S. Navy mission to countries in West Africa. U.S. Army Soldiers are also part of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, undertaking civil affairs mission and partnering with militaries in East Africa to build leadership capacity.

During extensive travel across the continent, Ward has the opportunity to meet leaders from African nations – but also see people who benefit from interaction with the U.S. military's programs, he said.

"Each instance there is a sincere appreciation for what we are doing, partnering for a better future," Ward said.

Ward acknowledged the integral part U.S. Army Africa plays in supporting partnerships in Africa and said he knows that should an emergency arise on the African continent, soldiers are ready to be part of a joint task force that would oversee the U.S. military's support to U.S. diplomacy.

"Should the need arise for a joint task force to oversee operations in Africa, U.S. Army Africa is prepared to take a lead role in command and control," Ward said.

Ward arrived May 4, meeting with Major General William B. Garrett III, commander of U.S. Army Africa. Garrett led a roundtable discussion on current operations, to include the role of Army noncommissioned officers supporting mentorship missions in Africa.

"U.S. Army Africa is well on it's was to becoming the premier headquarters to oversee American Soldiers as they make a positive difference in people's lives in Africa," Ward said.

While in Italy, Ward also met senior leaders and soldiers at Caserma Ederle and visited the Italian-led Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, where he was briefed on its mission -- improving police officers' abilities to operate in peacekeeping missions to include operations in Africa.