Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addresses U.S. Africa Command personnel during a town hall meeting Feb. 11, 2025, at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. geographic combatant commands, responsible for military engagement across 53 African nations. Working with partners and allies, the command counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, strengthens African security forces, and supports U.S. government efforts in Africa to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, visits Sirte. While there, he spoke with Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar, LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff, and other members of the LNA, Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, together with Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori and Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt tour GNU security facilities, Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, together with Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt and Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Feb. 4, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

Lt. Gen. John Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, together with Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori and Charge d‘Affaires Jeremy Berndt meet with Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Defense Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, Chief of Staff General Mohammed Haddad, and Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Abdel Salam Zubi, Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo by U.S. Africa Command)

(Feb. 1, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 conducts routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)

RESPONSIBILITY (Feb. 1, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 conducts routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)

(Feb. 1, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 conducts routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)

(Feb. 1, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 conducts routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)

(Feb. 1, 2025) Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 conducts routine flight operations from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S Navy Photo)

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

Ms. Amanda Dory, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, and U.S. Air Force Maj. General Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Coordination Element visited with Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Defense M. Téné Birahima Ouattara during a key diplomatic trip aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation between the United States and Coastal West Africa. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Africa Command’s Inspector General and Legal teams met with the Central African Republic’s Minister of Defense and his Inspector General, Dec. 4-6. During the exchange, the group discussed ways that IG and Legal advisors promote accountability and ethical conduct within military operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command observes a group of students attending Shining Hope for Communities' (SHOFCO) development program in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. Combatting threats that drive instability starts with 3D,” said Langley. “As a 3D organization when enabling our African partners in a unified effort to promote regional security and prosperity, it requires a whole of government effort – Development, Diplomacy, and Defense.” (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

A local participant in Shining Hope for Communities' (SHOFCO) development program gives senior leaders from U.S. Africa Command a presentation on a vocational skill being taught by SHOFCO’s outreach efforts in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. Combatting threats that drive instability starts with 3D,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, AFRICOM. “As a 3D organization when enabling our African partners in a unified effort to promote regional security and prosperity, it requires a whole of government effort – Development, Diplomacy, and Defense.” (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

Senior leaders from U.S. Africa Command join Kennedy Odede, founder and chief executive officer, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), for tour of the local development’s current educational and programmatic efforts to build promise from poverty by igniting transformation in urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. and commander of U.S. Africa Command Michael Langley alongside members of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi meet with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, Nov. 25, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya, AFRICOM’s commitment to enabling partner effectiveness and bilateral efforts on counterterrorism operations continued. During discussions, partners shared their concerns about regional security and emphasized the importance of partnership to promote peace and security in the region. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo)

A local participant in Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) development program gives U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command a presentation on water sanitation efforts provided by SHOFCO’s outreach efforts in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 26, 2024. Providing very low-cost water to the Kibera community as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) education facilitated by community health workers is one of five approaches SHOFCO takes to provide critical services to the local community. While in Kenya, SHOFCO gave AFRICOM direct access to see how its community-led model for transformation is providing health care, sustainable livelihood programs, essential services, clean water, and building female leadership in impoverished communities to create lasting change. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo by Shining Hope for Communities)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command, alongside Chargé d’Affaires, Marc Dillard, walk out of meeting with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, Nov. 25, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. Langley’s visit was part of a week-long visit to eastern Africa countries, which focused on engaging strategic and interagency partners, and civil society organizations about topics geared toward addressing challenges, opportunities and threats that impact regional stability. In Kenya, AFRICOM’s commitment to enabling partner effectiveness and bilateral efforts on counterterrorism operations continued. (U.S. Department of Defense courtesy photo)

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), met with Brigadier General (O8) Dimini Allahare, Togolese Chief of Defense Staff, and the senior leadership of the Togolese Armed Forces to include the Chief of Staffs for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie at the Etat Major in Lomé, Togo, on November 19. This high-level engagement underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Togo in strengthening regional security and cooperation. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is supports AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), visited Parakou Base, Benin, and listened in on a training session with Forces des Armées Beninoises on border security and deployment in support of Operation Mirador. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is responsible for supporting AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.

U.S. Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director, AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE), takes a group photo with U.S. Africa Command personnel, members of the U.S. Embassy Cotonou Office of Security Cooperation, Team Benin CFT, and 2nd BN leadership in Benin after they received briefs about Operation Mirador and Forces des Armées Beninoises border security training. The AFRICOM Coordination Element (ACE) is part of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a unified combatant command responsible for U.S. military activities across the African continent. The ACE is responsible for supporting AFRICOM's mission in West Africa by enhancing coordination, communication, and integration with various U.S. government agencies, host nations, and international partners.