SETAF-AF marks 71 years of readiness, partnership in Italy

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VICENZA, Italy - U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) celebrated its 71st birthday at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, bringing together Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and Italian partnersto honor the command's rich history and reinforce its operational readiness.

The command marked the milestone with a community event designed to highlight its unique history and mission to provide rapid deployment and sustained operations across Africa and Europe. The celebration featured sports competitions, an awards ceremony and a ceremonial cake cutting.

"It's a great day to be out here for a birthday celebration," said U.S. Army Col. Bre Washburn, SETAF-AF chief of staff. "We're out competing on the field where we're honing our competitive edge-that drive to victory. We're out there with our teams because you can't go far if you're not going with partners."

Formed on October 25, 1955 SETAF-AF has evolved continuously for more than seven decades. It began as a logistics enterprise and NATO shield to into a versatile operational headquarters capable of executing humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and combat operations. The task force has supported humanitarian relief in Rwanda, regional stability efforts in Kosovo, Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq, and the historic 2003 combat parachute assault into Iraq by the 173rd Mobile Combat Team (Airborne).

"There's just so much in there to celebrate," said Washburn, who noted that SETAF-AF serves as a crisis response force at the intersection of three combatant commands. "We are delivering the Army to Africa as the foundation of the joint force."

Central to the command's long-term success is its deep-rooted bond with its Italian hosts. Washburn emphasized that strong relationships with Italian military leadership, the Carabinieri, and the local Vicenza community transform the installation from a duty station into a home.

That spirit of partnership was on full display during the athletic events.

"The soccer match together is important because it's more than sport. Friendship becomes a tradition," said Italian Army Lt. Col. Giuseppe Ardolino, an officer assigned to SETAF-AF, who competed in the soccer match.

Ardolino joked about whether to call the game football or soccer and expressed hope that the tradition would continue.

"We celebrate 71 years of partnership with SETAF-AF here in the north of Italy," he said, "but many more years of friendship."

Washburn echoed those sentiments when addressing the assembled personnel.

"One thing has stood firm throughout, and that is the incredible partnership that we have with our Italian teammates," Washburn said. "We could do nothing here without that teamwork... standing shoulder to shoulder with us as we gain readiness as we gain our capability to go out and meet our missions on the forward battlefield."

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.