Task Force becomes part of AfriCom

[unhappycamper]

Task Force becomes part of AfriCom
Staff report
Posted : Saturday Dec 13, 2008 7:00:10 EST

The Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, cased its old colors and uncased new colors during a ceremony Dec. 9 to signify its new mission as the Army component in support of U.S. Africa Command.

The ceremony marked the end of the airborne chapter of the task force’s history and the beginning of its new role in AfriCom. It followed a Dec. 3 announcement that SETAF would become U.S. Army Africa.

“We are honored and privileged to be the first members of U.S. Army Africa,” Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, commanding general of SETAF, said in a statement. “This is a huge responsibility, as our decisions and actions will establish the foundation that others will build upon in the years ahead.”

The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, previously part of SETAF, now reports directly to U.S. Army Europe, said Maj. Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for SETAF. In addition, SETAF, a 250-person headquarters, will grow in size as it assumes its new role, including growing to about 300 active Army personnel, Dillon said.

Gen. William E. Ward, commander of AfriCom, and Gen. Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army, attended the ceremony.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/army_taskforce_121308w/%2e