U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, speaks to Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island during an award ceremony on the ship's flight deck. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit have operated off the coast of Somalia since Dec. 21 as part of the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command for Joint Task Force – Quartz.
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, completed a multi-day engagement in Somalia and a visit to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, operating off the coast of Somalia, Jan. 16-18.
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a visit to Cooperative Security Location, Manda Bay, Kenya, Jan. 16, to meet with U.S. commanders and forces supporting security and training in the region.
AFRICOM commander, senior enlisted leader conduct trip to East Africa
12:00 AM1/16/2021
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, wrapped up a five-day visit to East Africa in mid-January 2021, which included stops in Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya as well as to the USS Makin Island, operating off the coast of Somalia. Townsend was accompanied by the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, whose participation on the trip emphasized the need for professional, well trained enlisted corps for partner forces, recognized U.S. forces and spoke with Somali military leadership about training possibilities.
AFRICOM in 2020: Engaging partners, strengthening cooperation in a COVID-19 environment
8:52 AM1/14/2021
In 2020 U.S. Africa Command continued to strengthen its relationships with African partners, strategic allies, U.S. government agencies and departments, and multinational coalitions to prevent, address and mitigate conflict in Africa.
AFRICOM in 2020: Engaging partners, strengthening cooperation in a COVID-19 environment
8:49 AM1/14/2021
In 2020 U.S. Africa Command continued to strengthen its relationships with African partners, strategic allies, U.S. government agencies and departments, and multinational coalitions to prevent, address and mitigate conflict in Africa.
AFRICOM in 2020: Engaging partners, strengthening cooperation in a COVID-19 environment
2:38 PM1/5/2021
In 2020 U.S. Africa Command continued to strengthen its relationships with African partners, strategic allies, U.S. government agencies and departments, and multinational coalitions to prevent, address and mitigate conflict in Africa.
AFRICOM in 2020: Engaging partners, strengthening cooperation in a COVID-19 environment
12:00 AM1/1/2021
In 2020 U.S. Africa Command continued to strengthen its relationships with African partners, strategic allies, U.S. government agencies and departments, and multinational coalitions to prevent, address and mitigate conflict in Africa. Throughout the year, AFRICOM worked to build African-partner defense capabilities. Below are some of the highlights of these efforts:
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
10:01 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, distributes coins to recognize members of the Marine Security Guard detachment at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya, while beginning a visit to key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships and security Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM leaders visit key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:57 AM12/28/2020
Warrant Officer Class One Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defence Forces Sergeant Major, invites Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, to observe the culminating event of the newly-developed Kenyan Command Course for NCOs Dec. 15. The course was implemented by Koranga following an AEDS key leader engagement in the U.S. in March when he visited NCO academies from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:53 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, speak with service members stationed at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, as part of a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti visit to key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships and security Dec. 14-17. The visit allowed for an updated commander’s assessment of the operations, security and infrastructure, with a special focus on assessing security and force protection improvements.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:51 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, stands with senior Kenyan Defence Forces leadership prior to conducting a pass and review of KDF Soldiers Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:48 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, conducts a pass and review of KDF Soldiers Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:47 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, conducts a pass and review of KDF Soldiers Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM commander visits key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:47 AM12/28/2020
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, greets Gen. Robert Kibochi, Kenya's Chief of Defence, before conducting a pass and review of Kenya Defence Force Soldiers Dec. 15. Townsend and Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, conducted a four-day trip to Kenya and Djibouti to conduct strategic engagements with partner nation leadership, assess operations and security of U.S. force locations, and demonstrate continued commitment to working with African partners.
AFRICOM leaders visit key Africa nations to strengthen partnerships, security
9:44 AM12/28/2020
Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, meets with Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defence Forces Sergeant Major, at the Kenya Defence Forces headquarters Dec. 15. As part of the commander’s African Enlisted Development Strategy (AEDS), Thresher focused his trip on the top Kenyan non-commissioned officers (NCO) responsible for developing NCOs within the Kenya Defence Forces.
Statement from AFRICOM Commander U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend on the activation of Joint Task Force - Quartz
3:04 PM12/19/2020
The United States is not withdrawing or disengaging from East Africa. We remain committed to helping our African partners build a more secure future. We also remain capable of striking Al-Shabaab at the time and place of our choosing—they should not test us.
NCO development focus of AFRICOM Senior Enlisted Leader's visit to African nations
4:17 PM12/18/2020
Warrant Officer Class One Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defense Forces Sergeant Major, invited Thresher to observe the culminating event of the newly-developed Kenyan Command Course for NCOs – a course implemented by Koranga following an AEDS key leader engagement in the U.S. in March, when he visited NCO academies from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
NCO development focus of AFRICOM Senior Enlisted Leader's visit to African nations
4:17 PM12/18/2020
Warrant Officer Class One Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defense Forces Sergeant Major, invited Thresher to observe the culminating event of the newly-developed Kenyan Command Course for NCOs – a course implemented by Koranga following an AEDS key leader engagement in the U.S. in March, when he visited NCO academies from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.