Consolidating Army operations in Europe and Africa under one command is better preparing the U.S. to face near-peer competitors, says Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the newly consolidated U.S. Army Europe and Africa, will speak Feb. 3 at a webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.
The event, part of The AUSA Noon Report series, begins at noon Eastern. It is free, but registration is required here.
Army operations in Europe and Africa will now fall under a new command called U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the service announced.
The move consolidates Army Europe and Army Africa into one command that will serve as the Army service component command for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. It will be led by Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the Army Europe commander since January 2018 who was approved by the Senate for a fourth star and this new assignment on Sept. 30.
The commanding general of U.S. Army Europe will receive a fourth star and lead a newly consolidated command that will support operations in both Europe and Africa.
Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who has led Army Europe since January 2018, was confirmed by the Senate Sep. 30. He now will lead U.S. Army Europe-Africa and provide support to U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.
Details on the consolidated command are still being finalized, according to an Army official.
The Army nominee to head the U.S. Africa Command says the continent faces “numerous and complex challenges” combining local and outside forces.
Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, who has commanded the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command for one year, is nominated to head the Stuttgart, Germany-based unified command that he said faces threats from terrorists, near-peer competition and problems like rapid population growth, low economic growth and poor governance.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is committed to learning why four soldiers were killed and two injured in an Oct. 4 ambush in Niger, and he’s also committed to “learning from it,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana W. White said.
“While we are still gathering facts and await the final investigation, we do know that the team came under fire,” White said. The wounded were airlifted by the French military. The soldiers killed in action were removed by an air support contractor.
Success at the strategic level in Africa is attained through a long-term, integrated effort with country teams, African partners and U.S. allies.
