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SETAF-AF CG visits Florence JMU campus
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) Commanding General, gathers with James Madison University (JMU) students for a group photo during a first time visit to the JMU European Union Policy Studies Florence campus in Florence, Italy on Mar. 29, 2023. This visit educated and highlighted to future federal employees how SETAF-AF collaborates and works with allies and partners in Africa and Europe, bringing real world application to their future potential careers. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson
FLORENCE, ITALY—Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Army Col. Matthew Kopp, Director of Security Cooperation Directorate and Mr. Richard Snelsire, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Commanding General visited the James Madison University's European Union Policy Studies (EUPS) Florence campus for the first time on March 29, 2023. Wasmund began by emphasizing to the students why the event was put together. “This is a really great opportunity to help explain who we are and what we do…how it relates to national security strategy and our national security policy and how those things fit together.”
"It is vital that the people understand Africa and its importance for the U.S. government. Today's visit allows for us to see a deeper and more authentic interaction between military and civilian affairs,” said Professor Charles Blake, JMU executive director of EUPS programs, who was also in attendance for this inaugural event.
The event, planned and coordinated by SETAF-AF regional planner, and JMU alumni, Mr. Briar Dunn, is a first for SETAF-AF leadership.
"Bringing the Commanding General to speak at James Madison University's European Union Policy Studies Florence campus was a vision of mine to show how hard power diplomacy and soft power diplomacy can meet within the SETAF-AF organization. To get a chance to place real, positive light on how we collaborate with our NATO allies and partners matters. It matters to the general public, it matters to our citizens and matters to our future federal employees who stem from the JMU EUPS program." said Dunn.
This is the first time an acting commanding general from SETAF-AF has visited the campus, for the students it gave a new perspective on the inner workings of SETAF and its role in Europe and Africa.
Matthew Montes, a Master’s student in Political Science at JMU, said, "Speaking with Maj. Gen. Wasmund and his colleagues was an incredible opportunity to gain insight into the U.S. multilateral relations with our partners in Africa, an especially relevant issue within the scope of our academic program as we enter into an era where relationships with these partners are more crucial than previously perceived."
For the staff it was also a chance to gain insight into U.S. and European Union relations with African partners and their impact in the region.
"For a major general of Wasmund's caliber to visit our university says a lot about the growing nature of the United States' national security regarding Africa. Our hope as an academic institution seeks to challenge policy makers so that the U.S. government and European Union can collaborate even more on Africa and create a global strategy together, which will out-compete China and Russia's influence on the continent,"said Caterina Paolucci, on-site director of the EUPS campus and program.
Students attending the event were all part of a 10-month Masters in Political Science program with a concentration in European Union Policy Studies (EUPS). The program, based in Florence, Italy, is designed to develop expertise in policy making and policy analysis with an emphasis on the European Union and its relevance for the United States and globally. Italian students studying political science at University of Florence were invited to attend as well.
"The visit from SETAF-AF was beneficial to our understanding of the current global context. It illuminated the importance of geo-politics and the challenges Africa is facing,” said JMU student Ella Serafin. “We were able to gain knowledge of the current operations in the area and how it affects global partnerships, especially with the U.S. The presentation gave students a different perspective on U.S. security policy and priorities. As future members of the transatlantic policy community, this experience was eye-opening and inspiring for JMU political science graduate students."
“It is truly an honor to host the commanding general of SETAF-AF and we welcome him back any time to Florence,” concluded Blake.
About SETAF-AF
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) is responsible for achieving U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Campaign Plan objectives while conducting all U.S. Army operations, exercises and security cooperation on the African continent.
