U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana (left), incoming commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora (middle), outgoing commander of CJTF-HOA, and U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend (right), commander of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), salute during the playing of Ruffles and Flourishes during a change of command ceremony, May 15, 2021, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Zana previously served as the Joint Staff J5, Deputy Director of Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, outgoing commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), receives the Defense Superior Service Medal from U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), during his change of command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2021. The Defense Superior Service Medal is award to those who have rendered superior meritorious service while serving in a position of high responsibility and in a joint service environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), hands the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) task force flag to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana, in-coming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2021. Prior to serving as the Joint Staff J5, Deputy Director of Africa, Zana was the Deputy Commanding General of CJTF-HOA. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
Distinguished guests and visitors rendered courtesies during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2021. Due to social distancing, the change of command ceremony was attended by a small number of invited guests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sergeant Grady Epperly)
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, the outgoing Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa commanding general, transferred responsibility to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William L. Zana during a change of command ceremony May 15. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the U.S. Africa Command, presided over the ceremony.
Tech. Sgt. William Russell, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron air advisor, left, Master Sgt. John Vaccaro, 621st Contingency Response Squadron fuels technician, middle, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Anderson, 621st Contingency Response Support Squadron civil engineer, right, measure the depth of pavement by drilling holes in a taxiway at Ben Guerir Air Base, Morocco, April 18, 2021. The members, assigned to an airfield survey team, deployed at the request of Air Mobility Command to conduct five airfield surveys across the Kingdom of Morocco ahead of African Lion 21, U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise, scheduled to take place in Morocco, June 7-18. (courtesy photo)
Air Mobility Command deployed two airfield survey teams from the 621st Contingency Response Wing to the Kingdom of Morocco April 17-27 to conduct airfield surveys in preparation for Exercise African Lion 21.
North African maritime exercise Phoenix Express set to begin
4:45 PM5/14/2021
150521-O-ZZ999-001 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (May 21, 2015) Ships of the American, Greek, Moroccan, Tunisian and Turkish navies steam in formation during Exercise Phoenix Express, May 22, 2015. Phoenix Express 2015, sponsored and facilitated by U.S. Africa Command , is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness , information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to counter sea-based illicit activity in the region. (Photo courtesy of the Hellenic Navy)
AFRICOM leader highlights support to African and international partners during Sahel visit
12:00 AM5/1/2021
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg tours the aviation unit and gets capability briefing on the French EC665 Tiger multi-role combat helicopter while at the French Platform Operational Desert in Gao, Mali, May 1. Berg conducted a multiday visit to Senegal and Mali to highlight U.S. Africa Command’s continued support to African and French partners and their efforts to enhance security in the Sahel.
AFRICOM leader highlights support to African and international partners during Sahel visit
12:00 AM4/30/2021
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg and Col. Jean Dieme, Senegalese Director of Military Intelligence, exchange gifts following a senior leader exchange in Dakar, Senegal, April 30. Berg conducted a multiday visit to Senegal and Mali to reinforce the importance of U.S. Africa Command’s bilateral partnership in Senegal and multinational support to countering violent extremism in the region.
AFRICOM leader highlights support to African and international partners during Sahel visit
12:00 AM4/29/2021
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg is greeted by French Army Général de brigade Michel Delpit, commander of the Element Senegalese Francais, upon her arrival to the Element Senegalese Francias base in Dakar, Senegal, April 29. Berg’s visit highlighted U.S. support of cooperative security efforts in the Sahel.
Amb. Young recognized for service as ambassador to Burkina Faso 2016-20
12:00 AM4/27/2021
The award of the Knight of the Order of the Stallion is the highest honorary order awarded to individuals and legal entities for eminent service, civil or military, to the nation of Burkina Faso.
U.S. Africa Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, wrapped up his annual posture statement to Congress with a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 22.
U.S. Africa Command testimony to Senate Armed Services Committee
9:19 AM4/21/2021
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, to deliver the 2021 U.S. Africa Command posture testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 22.
Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, to provide testimony to the House Armed Services Committee April 20, 2021, and the Senate Armed Services Committee April 22, 2021.
U.S. Africa Command statement for record 2021 posture testimony.pdf
9:03 AM4/21/2021
Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, to provide testimony to the House Armed Services Committee April 20, 2021, and the Senate Armed Services Committee April 22, 2021.