United States Army Africa

United States Army Africa
United States Army Africa shoulder sleeve insignia.
Active	Established: December 9, 2008
Country	United States
Motto(s)	Bringing the Army Team to Africa
Commanders
Commander, U.S. Army Africa	Major General Joseph P. Harrington
Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Africa	Brigadier General Jon A. Jensen; Brigadier General Kenneth H. Moore, Jr.
Chief of Staff	Colonel Louis B. Rago, II
Command Sergeant Major	Command Sergeant Major Christopher M. Gilpin
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia (Left Side)
Logo

United States Army Africa (USARAF), also known as the Southern European Task Force (SETAF), is the United States Army Service Component Command of United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM or AFRICOM).

USARAF's headquarters are located on Caserma Ederle and Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy. The current commanding officer|commanding general of USARAF is Major General (United States) Major General (MG) Joseph P. Harrington.

SETAF, now known as USARAF/SETAF has been stationed in Italy since 1955 and has a long history of operating on the African continent and partnering with African nations. During the past 15 years, SETAF has provided crisis response, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance on the continent.

On December 3, 2008 in Rome, Italy, an official announcement by the U.S. and Italian governments stated that SETAF would become USARAF, and one week later on December 9, 2008 USARAF was established as the Army Service Component Command of AFRICOM. According to the Army Times, this marked the end of the airborne chapter of the unit’s history and the beginning of its new role as the Army component of AFRICOM.

The vision for U.S. Army Africa is to be a trusted and respected partner, achieving long-term strategic effects in Africa. The command's mission statement explains that USARAF/SETAF employs Army forces as partners, builds sustainable capacity, and supports the joint force in order to disrupt transnational threats and promote regional stability in Africa.

As the current USARAF commander, MG Joseph P. Harrington, will ensure that U.S. Army capabilities are available and prepared to protect U.S. interests, support the achievement of AFRICOM goals, and enable our African partners to provide a secure environment. To achieve this, USARAF will ensure a deployable operational headquarters is validated and available to deploy; support military operations to contain and neutralize transnational threats; engage with African nations and regional organizations to build sustainable capability and capacity of African Land forces; shape the AFRICOM AOR with Army forces, theater posture, and developing the landpower network in Africa; and command, sustain and employ Army, Joint and Coalition forces as directed, including ADCON and Lead Service requirements..

Ultimately, when these items mentioned are met, American interests are protected and African land forces are able to address African security challenges.

Means by which the DoD encourages and enables countries and organizations to work with the U.S. to achieve strategic objectives.

Consists of official, cooperative and generally non-combat interactions between Army elements, active duty, or U.S. National Guard and Reserve components. This includes U.S. government or non-government entities that support the Army and governments, industries, institutions, or people of other nations or official or non-governmental international organizations.