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Southern European Task Force Afr
Members of the African Land Forces Summit planning team view one of several conference rooms Dec. 9, 2021 in Columbus, Georgia. The team discussed and took note of when and how this specific room would be used in relation to the rest of the convention center’s spaces.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tianna Field.)
Photo by: Sgt. Tianna Field
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Southern European Task Force Afr
Communications planner Lt. Col. Eli Segres inspects the audio/visual ports in a meeting rooms at the historic Iron Works convention center on Dec. 9, 2021 in Columbus, Georgia. Segres and other representatives from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa visited Fort Benning and Columbus to develop plans for the African Land Forces Summit, scheduled for March. Hosted by the Chief of Staff of the Army, ALFS invites leaders from partnered forces across the African continent to meet in one location in order to discuss capabilities and build partnerships. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tianna Field)
Photo by: Sgt. Tianna Field
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Southern European Task Force Afr
Sgt. Maj. Timothy Miller, left, along with other members of the ALFS 22 planning team visit the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade to witness a demonstration showcasing the skills learned at Ranger school on Dec. 10, 2021, in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Rangers in Action is one of several demonstrations scheduled throughout ALFS to show visiting partnered nations some of the capabilities of the Army.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tianna Field.)
Photo by: Sgt. Tianna Field
FT. BENNING, Ga. -- Military planners for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa returned to Georgia Dec. 6-10 for the African Land Forces Summit main planning event. The planning event is part of ongoing preparation for ALFS, which is scheduled to take place in March.
In the months leading up to ALFS, planners have met with community and base officials in Columbus and Ft. Benning. They toured potential hotels, culturally significant locations, and on-base facilities that will be part of the event. Planners gathered information such as cost, building capacity, security, and connectivity capability for each location.
Monica Campos, protocol director for SETAF-AF, is a key member of the planning team. Campos said the planning team has grown since October’s IPE. “One of the differences between the initial and main planning events is the expansion of the planning team,” Campos said. “We bring in subject matter experts in order to formalize the program of events and refine requirements such as equipment and resources needed.”
The planners had a chance to continue getting to know the many local businesses and base personnel that will be involved with the event. Additionally, the team previewed the demonstrations ALFS attendees will get to see.
“With ALFS being conducted in Columbus and Fort Benning, our team has had the opportunity to experience Southern hospitality first hand,” Campos said. “It’s been wonderful returning to this community and strengthening the relationships that we made during the initial planning event. This community has opened its doors and it’s been a pleasure to come back and work side by side.”
ALFS is a weeklong event involving leaders from more than 40 African countries, hosted by the Army Chief of Staff and organized by SETAF-AF. For the first time since 2014, ALFS will be hosted in the United States. Ordinarily, it is hosted in Africa. The event in Georgia provides an opportunity for African leaders to observe world-class training programs and facilities at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, including Infantry Basic Training, Airborne Training, and U.S. Army Ranger School.
The final planning event is scheduled for late January and will consist of rehearsals as well as a round-table meeting that will put all planners, local businesses and Ft. Benning representatives in one room to ensure mutual understanding of the event schedule and logistical requirements.
