Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Army

Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy — A U.S. Army civil affairs team assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) recently completed a civil-military engagement in Cotonou, Benin, conducting a weeklong assessment of humanitarian assistance projects and strengthening relationships with U.S. Embassy personnel, partner forces and local communities.

The mission, led by Bravo Company, Civil Affairs Battalion, marked the unit’s initial civil affairs engagement in the country. The visit served both an immediate operational need and a long-term strategic purpose.

“The purpose of this mission was to assess seven OHDACA [Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civil Aid] projects in order to evaluate the overall country program, fulfilling a request from the U.S. Military Group in Benin,” said U.S. Army Maj. Kevin Klenk, civil-military operations chief for Bravo Co.

The visit laid the foundation for further engagements with the U.S. Embassy, the partner force and the Beninois people.

“The assessments are crucial to ensure Benin achieved their intended goals,” said U.S. Army Capt. Gerald Pascal, CA Team Benin’s team chief. “The seven projects we assessed were all successful, from the five classrooms we observed, to much needed COVID-19 supplies, as well as APORA [African Partner Outbreak Response Alliance] training which brought together countries from all over Africa.”

The team saw clear evidence that the partnership was thriving.

“Benin and U.S. flags were posted at all locations, and the Beninois people the team met with were uniformly appreciative of the projects and the U.S.–Benin relationship,” added Pascal.

Just as important, the children, school faculty and staff were all benefiting from the newly constructed classrooms and facilities, such as latrines.

“Smiles were abundant!” said Pascal. “We enjoyed speaking with the children about the classrooms, getting firsthand knowledge from the students that use them daily. The team would engage in conversations with the students studying English and would emphasize the importance of staying in school to build a foundation for their future.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Forrest Dyer, CA Team Benin’s team sergeant, indicated there were also secondary benefits to the construction.

“The teachers and administrators reported increases in school attendance following the projects,” said Dyer. “Everyone – the students, teachers, staff and administration – was grateful for the improvements to their school.”

Additionally, the mission left a positive impression on the members of the civil affairs team involved, reaffirming their commitment to this military field.

“Seeing the huge community impact reminds me why I made the switch to civil affairs,” said Dyer. “This makes what we do worth the sacrifices of leaving our homes and families. There’s not only the long-lasting impact, but the amount of gratitude and appreciation from the community is inspiring and renewing.”

Klenk also credited close cooperation with the embassy’s U.S. Military Group in Benin, which oversees the OHDACA program in the country, as a key factor in the mission’s success.

“The U.S. Military Group was amazing. They coordinated the schedule and logistics for this mission, provided an orientation brief, facilitated our engagements and provided us with interpreters to set us up for success,” said Klenk. “We’re exploring further opportunities that mutually support the U.S. Embassy, SETAF-AF and U.S. Africa Command objectives in the strategic West Africa region.”

The mission was funded by U.S. Africa Command’s J56, the Strategic Resilience and Stability Division. It coincides with expansion of a bilateral security cooperation between Benin and neighboring Nigeria, to counter violent extremist organizations operating along their shared border.

Senior military leaders from both countries met in Cotonou on Feb. 27 to advance a cross-border security framework that may include coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing and joint operations, according to reports from Radio France Internationale. The discussions reflect growing concern over attacks in northeastern Benin and northwestern Nigeria necessitating an integrated regional response.

As Benin works with regional partners to strengthen security, U.S. civil affairs engagements help reinforce stability by supporting essential services, building community trust and enhancing the capacity of local institutions. The team’s assessments of school construction projects and medical readiness highlight the role of humanitarian assistance in addressing underlying conditions that extremist groups often exploit.

“Our team’s work reflects the broader mission of SETAF-AF civil affairs forces,” said Klenk. “To build enduring partnerships, support U.S. diplomatic efforts and enhance multinational readiness in regions facing complex security challenges.

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.

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Source: United States Army

Ramstein Air Base, Germany – In a powerful display of the enduring alliance between Germany and the United States, approximately 400 U.S. service members gathered to test their military skills and physical prowess in the 2026 German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge competition. The demanding five-day event, held from February 23-27 as a highlight of the German American Friendship Day festivities, concluded with around 220 participants earning the coveted badge.

The competition was more than just a test of individual skill; it was a symbol of the deep partnership forged over decades between the two nations. Co-hosted by U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe and the U.S. Air Force’s 86th Airlift Wing, the event brought together U.S. Army Soldiers, U.S. Airmen and German Bundeswehr soldiers in a spirit of camaraderie.

Master Sergeant Benjamin Angel, the Senior German Officer of the German element at NATO’s Allied Air Command, reflected on the event’s remarkable growth.

“Initially, it was a small event between Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and one of the Bundeswehr troops stationed at Ramstein,” Angel said. “We started out with a handful of people and this year more than 300 people stepped up to earn the coveted badge. It is great seeing everyone together and being an ambassador for their country.”

This sentiment was echoed by event planners, who emphasized the competition’s role in fostering friendship and improving interoperability.

“What makes this event special is that participants aren’t competing against each other; they are competing against themselves,” said 1st Sgt. Dana Cavazos from Veterinary Readiness Activity, Rheinland Pfalz. “Watching them push past what they thought were their limits while everyone cheers them on is an incredible sight.”

The Six Pillars of Proficiency

To earn the GAFPB, candidates had to prove their competence in a series of grueling events designed to test their comprehensive military readiness:

• First Aid: Candidates were required to have completed a Combat Lifesaver Training (CLS) Level 1 course or an equivalent.
• NBC Test: Participants had to demonstrate their ability to quickly and properly do a full set of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protective gear.
• Basic Fitness Test: A three-part test completed within 90 minutes, including a minimum five-second flexed-arm hang, a 1000-meter sprint and a chin-up test.
• Marksmanship: Proficiency was tested with a German weapon, requiring soldiers to meet the standards of the Schützenschnur qualification through various shooting exercises.
• Foot March: A timed endurance test carrying a rucksack weighing at least 15 kg (33 lbs). Distances varied for each badge level.
• Swimming: A challenging 100-meter swim in full military uniform, immediately followed by the task of removing the outer uniform while treading water.

Showcasing Excellence and Determination

The competition showcased the outstanding readiness of both U.S. and German troops.

Among the standout performers were Sgt. Brody Kufahl, veterinary technician from the Veterinary Readiness Activity, Rheinland Pfalz, who earned the title of fastest swimmer with a remarkable time of 2:02 min and Sgt. 1st Class Marissa Henson, Food Inspection Noncommissioned officer in charge at Veterinary Readiness Activity, Rheinland Pfalz, who was the top overall female performer.

The event also highlighted stories of personal determination.

Air Force Master Sgt. Deborah Townsend decided to compete on a whim after seeing a poster for a swim class. “I signed up for the GAFPB the day before registration and made it onto the waitlist,” she explained. “Based on luck, I was able to get a spot. I’ve come across the opportunity to earn the GAFPB only a few times in my career, but when I came across it in Germany, I had to try. It’s extra special earning it here.”

Ultimately, the annual competition serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment to security that has defined the transatlantic alliance for decades. The demanding standards of the GAFPB ensure that those who earn it represent the peak of military preparedness, embodying the shared strength and dedication of the Allied Nations.

Source: United States Army

FUJISAWA, Japan – “This was a gateway to a new life overseas.”

Staff Sgt. Paulo Dasilva, recently assigned to U.S. Army Medical Department Activity – Japan at Camp Zama, had that to say after participating in the installation’s “Step Into Japan” program.

The program, part of the installation’s suicide prevention efforts, is meant to guide newly assigned Soldiers and their families outside the gates and into Japan. Moving beyond traditional classroom briefings, the program is designed to transform the anxiety of being in a new place into connection by having participants familiarize themselves with Japan’s railway system and explore their community.

Leslie Noel, Camp Zama’s Army Substance Abuse Program specialist, said the ASAP team recognized a silent challenge in the community: For some Soldiers and families, the world beyond Camp Zama could feel out of reach. Isolation and the stress of a foreign environment were more than just inconveniences, Noel said — they could become risks to mental health and resilience.

“The program aims to strengthen protective factors such as connections, a sense of being understood and supported, reduced isolation, and a sense of belonging and purpose,” Noel said. “It is in direct alignment with the garrison commander’s priority of building community trust.”

As Noel observed during last month’s “Step Into Japan” trip, the impact was visible. Attendees exchanged contact information with each other and began building the very support systems Noel says help prevent high-risk behaviors.

Noel said the program serves the dual purposes of “providing practical skills to navigate a new country while fostering community trust.”

“I signed up to bridge the gap between the familiar and the unknown, seeking to immerse my family in their new surroundings,” Dasilva said. “In doing this, we gained more comfort and confidence in using the rail system that Japan offers.”

The experience proved to be transformative, Dasilva said. While the breathtaking scenery of Enoshima Island captured their hearts, the true value laid in the newfound confidence he said he and his family gained.

“The ‘Step Into Japan’ program showed us that there is an abundance to do in Japan, and we are truly blessed to be here to experience the culture,” he said. “Exposure to the world instead of what’s familiar is a treasure that we cherish that our son is getting to see.”

Capt. Britney Gray, assigned to the 765th Transportation Battalion since October 2025, said the program provided her with the meaningful first step necessary to begin her tour in Japan in earnest.

Through the trip, Gray said she gained many connections while also enjoying the sightseeing and gaining a deeper understanding of things like Japanese etiquette. More importantly, the value of the program for her came with the realization that she is part of a community that cares.

“This program is proof to me that there are people in this community who care enough to educate others on what’s around them,” she said. “It was an introduction to the life I can enjoy here in Japan for the next few years.”

“‘Step Into Japan’ is more than a tour,” Staff Sgt. Joshua Nelson, the co-organizer of the program, said. “The purpose is to help integrate new and existing community members into the Camp Zama community, build confidence, develop relationships, explore destinations in Japan, and educate people on the culture of Japan.”

Since the program’s inception in March 2025, Nelson has watched the program transform many formerly hesitant people into those who are now eager to explore.

This was on full display during the most recent tour in early February. Despite a forecast of snow and freezing temperatures on the day, a record-breaking 24 participants joined the journey. Nelson said he witnessed a powerful shift as both newcomers, long-term residents and volunteers started to shed their apprehensions and began bonding with each other.

“The best part of the event was witnessing the smiles, laughs and the ‘Wow!’ expressions throughout the day as the participants saw the unique landscapes, shrines, temples and architecture, and truly ‘stepped into Japan,’” he said.

In bringing the community together and breaking down the barriers of rank, culture and language, the program has successfully empowered community members to find support systems, friends and the courage to navigate their new home, Nelson said.