Hours after taking charge of U.S. Africa Command Friday, Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, was at work assessing the state of operations on the continent where he now leads military efforts.
After a brief change of command reception at Stuttgart’s Patch Barracks, Townsend huddled with his top commanders. Next week, Townsend said he will make his first trip to East Africa, where the U.S. faces a complicated security situation in places like Somalia.
“I intend to very thoroughly assess everything the command does,” Townsend told Stars and Stripes.
Townsend replaced Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, who is set to retire after leading AFRICOM for three years in a tenure that saw a growing mission in Somalia, an air bombardment campaign in Libya and a deadly ambush of U.S. troops in Niger that jolted the military community.
“We honor the bravery, service and sacrifice of those American, African, and partner soldiers who have given their lives over the past three years in the noble pursuit of peace and security across the African continent,” Waldhauser said during the ceremony.
Townsend, who previously led the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command and, before that, headed the U.S.-led coalition that battled the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, takes over at AFRICOM at a tumultuous time.