National Guard Brig. Gen. Gregory J. Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy director for intelligence and Col. Patricia Fant, chief of the National Guard Integration, cut the cake to celebrate the National Guard's 383rd at Kelley Barracks Dec. 13. Within AFRICOM, the National Guard plays several roles in promoting a stable security environment in Africa. One way this is accomplished is through the State Partnership Program, with 15 African nations partnered with 13 state National Guards. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Flor Gonzalez/Released)

Capt. Ouma Laouali, the first female pilot in the Nigerien air force, flies in a full-motion simulator at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Dec. 13, 2019. Laouali recently accomplished the next step in her pilot career April 22, 2020, by completing her training to become a C-130 Hercules pilot in the C-130 Formal Training Unit’s six-month international pilot training program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jayden Ford)

Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, vice commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and director, Maritime Partnership Program, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA), arrives at the closing ceremony of exercise Cutlass Express 19.2 Nov. 16, 2019 in Victoria, Seychelles. CNE-CNA/C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, vice commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and director, Maritime Partnership Program, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA), delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of exercise Cutlass Express 19.2 Nov. 16, 2019 in Victoria, Seychelles. CNE-CNA/C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Maritime forces from 17 East African, European, North American, and West Indian Ocean nations joined several international organizations in celebrating the successful conclusion of multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express 2019.2 (CE 19.2) during a ceremony held in Victoria, Seychelles, Nov. 16, 2019

191031-N-CJ510-0035 DJIBOUTI, Djibouti (Oct. 31, 2019) – U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Andrew Mendez, a tactical combat casualty care instructor, helps a member of the Djiboutian coast guard apply a tourniquet during exercise Cutlass Express 2019.2 and International Maritime Exercise 2019 in Djibouti, Djibouti Oct. 31, 2019. Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrea Rumple)

Rear Adm. Nancy Lacore, vice commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and director, Maritime Partnership Program, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA), delivers remarks during the closing ceremony of exercise Cutlass Express 19.2 Nov. 16, 2019 in Victoria, Seychelles. CNE-CNA/C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

A group photo during the closing ceremony of exercise Cutlass Express 19.2 Nov. 16, 2019 in Victoria, Seychelles. CNE-CNA/C6F, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, render honors during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, delivers remarks during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, renders honors during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend presents U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez with an award during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Personnel from U.S. Africa Command attend a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez relinquished his responsibility as the command senior enlisted leader.

Personnel from U.S. Africa Command attend a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez relinquished his responsibility as the command senior enlisted leader.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, poses for a photo with Chief Warrant Officer Ramous Barker, forces sergeant major of the Ghana Armed Forces following a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, salutes U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, outgoing command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, passes the AFRICOM colors to U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony Nov. 15, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Volunteers pose with staff of the Sara-Niger Rehabilitation Center Movement for Women and Girls during renovation operations in Niamey, Niger. From Sept. 21 to Oct. 14, 2019, Airmen deployed to Nigerien Air Base 101 and U.S. Embassy personnel renovated the local women’s vocational school that teaches local women techniques for making clothing, providing them with a profession and a source of income. (Courtesy Photo)

A volunteer constructs a shelving unit at the Sara-Niger Rehabilitation Center Movement for Women and Girls in Niamey, Niger. From Sept. 21 to Oct. 14, 2019, Airmen deployed to Nigerien Air Base 101 and U.S. Embassy personnel renovated the local women’s vocational school that teaches local women techniques for making clothing, providing them with a profession and a source of income. (Courtesy Photo)

During the two-week training 20 Senegalese Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers from both medical and non-medical learned about infrastructure (setting up field hospital tents and repairing where needed); medical equipment (testing equipment for functionality and maintenance requirements); and power generation. The training included a joint Mass Casualty exercise which consisted of 16 role players with multiple types of injuries to "exercise" and offer the SAF an opportunity to think through, command and control; clinical care practices such as how to set-up a casualty collection point and triage; and patient tracking.

Christian Achaleke (right), Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network – Africa coordinator, takes questions from the audience during a Youth, Peace and Security in Africa dialogue held in Stuttgart, Germany, Oct. 15, 2019. Achaleke, of Cameroon, draws on his experience working in prisons for the deradicalization and reintegration of violent extremists as a means to promote peace throughout the continent.

U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan speaks during the opening ceremony of the North and West Africa Directors of Military Intelligence Conference held on September 18, 2019 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. (Courtesy photo by Courage Ahiati)

U.S. Africa Command, Director of Intelligence, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg speaks during the opening ceremony of the North and West Africa Directors of Military Intelligence Conference held on September 18, 2019 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. (Courtesy photo by Courage Ahiati)

Opening Ceremony of the North and West Africa Directors of Military Intelligence Conference held on September 18, 2019 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. (Courtesy photo by Courage Ahiati)

Opening Ceremony of the North and West Africa Directors of Military Intelligence Conference held on September 18, 2019 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. (Courtesy photo by Courage Ahiati)

STUTTGART, Germany – Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, listens to a question from one of the attendees of the AFRICOM Public Affairs Communicators Symposium, Aug. 2, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

STUTTGART, Germany – Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, addresses attendees of the AFRICOM Public Affairs Communicators Symposium, Aug. 2, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

STUTTGART, Germany – Air Force Lt. Gen. James Vechery, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command, addresses attendees of the AFRICOM Public Affairs Communicators Symposium, July 31, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

STUTTGART, Germany – Air Force Col. Christopher Karns, director, Public Affairs and Communication Synchronization, U.S. Africa Command, addresses attendees of the AFRICOM Public Affairs Communicators Symposium, July 31, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

STUTTGART, Germany – Air Force Lt. Gen. James Vechery, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command, addresses attendees of the AFRICOM Public Affairs Communicators Symposium, July 31, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photos by Staff Sgt. Grady Jones, AFRICOM Public Affairs)

A Somali Soldier assigned to the 3rd DANAB maintains a watchful eye during a short security halt a on patrol near the town of Wanla Weyn, Somalia, July 22, 2019. The U.S. maintains a whole-of-government approach to supporting Somalia through diplomacy, development and defense.

Major General Patrick J. Hermesmann , the incoming commander of Marine Forces Europe and Africa, receives the organizational colors from Maj. Gen. Russell A.C. Sanborn, the outgoing commander, during the change of command ceremony on the Devil Dog Field on Panzer Kaserne in Boeblingen, Germany, July 9, 2019. Sanborn, who commanded MARFOREUR/AF since July 2017, presided over several initiatives that grew the headquarters as a dynamic warfighting institution, to include increasing NATO capacity for allied amphibious operations; enhanced naval and amphibious integration into plans, operations and exercises; the expansion of the Marine Corps cold-weather and mountain-warfare rotational training presence in Norway's high north; and responsibility for US forces participating in Exercise Trident Juncture 2018, the largest NATO military exercise since the end of the Cold War. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Menelik Collins/Released)

The Spearhead-class expeditionary transport ship USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7) departs Naval Station Rota, Spain, in support of the ship’s 2019 Africa Partnership Station (APS) deployment, July 2, 2019. As part of the U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) APS mission, Carson City will visit five Gulf of Guinea nations to work alongside partners to provide host nation-identified, needs-based assistance such as medical services, small boat repair and maintenance, maritime law enforcement, and the completion of community building projects. APS is NAVAF’s flagship maritime security cooperation program focusing on maritime safety and security through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure.

Capt. Frank Okata, commodore of Task Force 63, addresses military personnel, international partners, and civilian mariners aboard the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7) in port Naval Station Rota, Spain, in preparation for the 2019 Africa Partnership Station (APS) deployment, July 1, 2019. As part of the U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) APS mission, Carson City will visit five Gulf of Guinea nations to work alongside partners to provide host nation-identified, needs-based assistance such as medical services, small boat repair and maintenance, maritime law enforcement, and the completion of community building projects. APS is NAVAF’s flagship maritime security cooperation program focusing on maritime safety and security through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure.

Mr. Russell Schiebel, U.S. Dept. of State - Acting, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement

Attendees listen to a brief on the upcoming changes to the military health system during day one of the 2019 U.S. Africa Command Command Surgeon Synchronization Conference May 28, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. The conference brought together medical professionals from across the command, and interagency and foreign partners, to enable collaboration and to discuss areas of concern within the medical enterprise in Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Hurd/Released)

Air Force Maj. Gen. Lee E. Payne. DHA assistant director for combat support, talks to attendees of the 2019 U.S. Africa Command Command Surgeon Synchronization Conference May 28, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. Payne discussed upcoming changes to the military health system and what that means for patients and providers. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Hurd/Released)

Air Force Col. Krystal Murphy, acting AFRICOM command surgeon, speaks to attendees of the 2019 U.S. Africa Command Command Surgeon Synchronization Conference May 28, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. Murphy talked about the importance of building relationships during the conference. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Hurd/Released)

Air Force Lt. Gen. James C. Vechery, U.S. Africa Command deputy to the commander for military operations, speaks to attendees of the 2019 AFRICOM Command Surgeon Synchronization Conference, May 28, 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany. Vechery spoke about utilizing the medical field for future engagements with African partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher Hurd/Released)

JINJA, Uganda--Soldiers from Uganda People’s Defence Force work to set up the frame of a UN-standard level-2 mobile treatment facility at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capabilities Center in Jinja, Uganda, May 13, 2019, as a part of vendor training under the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership program.