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The U.S. Army Africa Best Warrior Competition, scheduled for June 2-4, selects the best junior officers, NCOs and Soldiers.

Don Houghton, a U.S. Army Africa current operations intelligence analyst, assists the commander and his staff by gathering data to create actionable intelligence May 6, 2020, in Vicenza, Italy. The USARAF intelligence cell’s focus on the novel coronavirus enables the commander to safeguard U.S. personnel and maintain readiness in Africa and in the Vicenza military community. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brian Andries)

Check out the full video here: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica/videos/603064693634895. Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, addresses the soon-to-be commissioned Army officers of San Diego State University while crushing the Army Combat Fitness Test. Cloutier commissioned from SDSU's Army ROTC program in 1988 and graduated from the University of San Diego. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Cloutier cannot attend the ceremony, which will be conducted virtually. This does not diminish the accomplishments of those taking on the responsibility of being an officer in the U.S. Army. Let's go, Aztecs!

Congratulations to Maj. Gen. Lapthe Flora on his promotion to Major General! He was promoted on May 2, 2020, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters in Richmond. Flora served as the U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general since 2018. His outstanding leadership, dedication and selfless service not only inspired the soldiers around him but was vital to mission success.

Capt. AnnaMaria Verdura, the U.S. Army 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Civil Affairs Team 219 team leader, helps spike down the frame of the donated tent CAT 219 delivered to the Agadez Regional Public Hospital in Agadez, Niger, April 6, 2020. CAT 219 reached out to local medical facilities to ascertain what supplies and equipment were needed to assist Nigerien health care providers in protecting themselves and enhancing capabilities to prevent infections and provide effective health care for potential COVID-19 patients. The hospital director requested a tent to be used as a quarantine space in the case of a potential coronavirus outbreak. (U.S. Army photo)

The U.S. Army 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Civil Affairs Team 219 and U.S. Air Force civil engineers assigned to Nigerien Air Base 201 near Agadez, Niger, pose for a photo with doctors and nurses from Agadez Regional Public Hospital in front of the tent donated and delivered to the hospital April 6, 2020. CAT 219 reached out to local medical facilities to ascertain what supplies and equipment were needed to assist Nigerien health care providers in protecting themselves and enhancing capabilities to prevent infections and provide effective health care for potential COVID-19 patients. The hospital director requested a tent to be used as a quarantine space in the case of a potential coronavirus outbreak. (U.S. Army photo)

The U.S. Army 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Civil Affairs Team 219 and U.S. Air Force civil engineers assigned to Nigerien Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, build a tent they donated and delivered to the Agadez Regional Public Hospital April 6, 2020. CAT 219 reached out to local medical facilities to ascertain what supplies and equipment were needed to assist Nigerien health care providers in protecting themselves and enhancing capabilities to prevent infections and provide effective health care for potential COVID-19 patients. The hospital director requested a tent to be used as a quarantine space in the case of a potential coronavirus outbreak (U.S. Army photo)

The U.S. Army 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Civil Affairs Team 219 and U.S. Air Force civil engineers assigned to Nigerien Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, build a tent they donated and delivered to the Agadez Regional Public Hospital April 6, 2020. CAT 219 reached out to local medical facilities to ascertain what supplies and equipment were needed to assist Nigerien health care providers in protecting themselves and enhancing capabilities to prevent infections and provide effective health care for potential COVID-19 patients. The hospital director requested a tent to be used as a quarantine space in the case of a potential coronavirus outbreak. (U.S. Army photo)

CAMP DARBY, Italy (March 25, 2020) - Simone Bonechi, a Humanitarian Assistance Program warehouse worker, moves folding chairs to be loaded on a truck headed to Rho Lombardy, Italy in response to COVID-19. (U.S. Army Photo by Chiara Mattirolo)

1st Lt. Marcos Arroyo, center, a platoon leader assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and officer in charge for Task Force Currahee’s Army Combat Fitness Test instructs Cameroonian air force personnel taking the test how to conduct the events with the help of an interpreter at the training and testing site in Cameroon Dec. 20, 2019. The Fox Company conducted ACFT training and diagnostic testing while deployed to Cameroon in support of U.S Africa Command operations on the African continent. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ian Brashear)

Staff Sgt. Seth Scharenberg, second from right, a squad leader assigned to the Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), grades the hand release push up event of the Army Combat Fitness Test as Sgt. 1st Class Enslin, right, also assigned to the Fox Company, keeps time Dec. 13, 2019, in Cameroon. The Fox Company conducted ACFT training and diagnostic testing while deployed to Cameroon in support of U.S Africa Command operations on the African continent. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Marcos Arroyo)

Spc. Imani Goodrich, a human resource specialist assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, conducts the Army Combat Fitness Test’s leg tuck event at a makeshift gym in Cameroon Dec. 20, 2019. The Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conducted ACFT training and diagnostic testing while deployed to Cameroon in support of U.S Africa Command operations on the African continent. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ian Brashear)

Thirty-seven African alumni of U.S. Army professional military education programs, 20 African fellows currently enrolled at the U.S. Army War College and nine Army National Guard representatives from the Defense Department’s State Partnership Program participated in the U.S. Army Africa-conducted, USAWC-hosted African Alumni Symposium held at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Penn., March 9-12. The symposium brings participants together to build and strengthen partnerships, facilitate discussion about shared security concerns and encourage regional cooperation in addressing challenges. (U.S. Army photo by Amanda Zeiders)

Bring in the heavy artillery -- M109A6 Paladins of the Utah Army National Guard are staged for movement from the port in Agadir, Morocco, to training areas where they will be used as part of African Lion 20, the largest exercise in Africa. More than 9,000 troops from eight countries will participate in the exercise from March 23 to April 3, 2020.

Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, Nigerian Armed Forces, meets with U.S. Army Forces Command commanding general Gen. Michael X. Garrett and U.S. Army Africa commanding general Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier prior to a bilateral engagement at the African Land Forces Summit 2020 (ALFS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Feb. 19, 2020. ALFS is a four-day seminar bringing together land force chiefs from across Africa for candid dialogue to discuss and develop cooperative solutions and improve trans-regional security and stability.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marco Cabral, with the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, instructs Kenya Defense Force artillery soldiers on conducting a fire control alignment test on an M119A2 105mm howitzer at the School of Artillery in Isiolo, Kenya, Jan. 29, 2020. The Kenya field artillery training aims to build partner capacity and provide training on various equipment sets and fires planning. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Miles O. Andrade)

Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr.

U.S. Army Africa Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr. delivers remarks during his assumption of responsibility ceremony held Jan. 29. 2020, at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brian Andries)

U.S. Army Africa Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr. delivers remarks during his assumption of responsibility ceremony held Jan. 29. 2020, at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brian Andries)

Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Gregory Jr. receives the U.S. Army Africa colors signifying his acceptance of USARAF’s senior enlisted position, during an assumption of responsibility ceremony held Jan. 29. 2020, at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brian Andries)

U.S. Army Africa Soldiers conduct their first diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy on Jan. 14, 2020. As the US Army implements the new ACFT, Soldiers will take two diagnostic tests before their first record test in October.

Exercise planners from various nations pose for a photograph during the United Accord 2020 main planning event at the Regional Tactical Training Center in Thies, Senegal, Dec. 9, 2019. The combined joint planning event hosted by the Senegalese armed forces included delegates from five Western partner nations and 13 African partner nations with a wide range of experience in regional peacekeeping operations, the basis for the Accord series of exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brian Andries)

"I initially joined for the educational benefits but after 9/11 occurred my service transitioned into being a patriotic duty. Serving as a human resource officer has allowed me the opportunity to assist Soldiers, reviewing and correcting records, and enabling them to progress in their careers." -Capt. Eduardo Olvera, battalion S1 officer in charge.

A multi-faceted exercise and a humanitarian civic assistance event spanning four countries

The USARAF Medical Readiness Exercise Concept Development Event commenced December 2-6, in Vicenza, Italy.Representatives from U.S. Army National Guard units and six African countries to include Chad, Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, and others are attending this year's event. MEDREX events are aligned with USARAF and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) directed joint exercises and stand-alone events with support from U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) units and U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command through the Department of the Army (DA) with additional support from the National Guard State Partnership Program. 44th Medical Brigade XVIII Airborne Corps.

"I serve because I love my country and to be an example of leadership. To serve and defend the greatest country in the world is truly an honor. The leaders who came before us laid the groundwork for what America is today and by serving, I want to help make their dreams our reality." -Sgt. Michael Murphy, U.S. Army Africa command driver and 173rd Airborne Brigade Paratrooper

AGADIR, Morocco – Military planners from the U.S., Africa and Europe worked alongside their Moroccan partners to plan U.S. Army Africa’s largest exercise, African Lion, in Agadir, Morocco, Nov. 4-8, 2019.

AGADIR, Morocco – Military planners from the U.S., Africa and Europe worked alongside their Moroccan partners to plan U.S. Army Africa’s largest exercise, African Lion, in Agadir, Morocco, Nov. 4-8, 2019.

Troops from across the United States as well as servicemembers from Spain, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy, gather at the main planning event for Exercise African Lion in Agadir, Morocco, Nov. 8, 2019. Spearheaded by U.S. Army Africa and hosted by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, African Lion 20 is a joint force headquarters-validating, partnership- strengthening, readiness-building, multinational, multi-domain and multifunctional exercise testing the warfighters’ ability to deploy, fight and win in a complex, competitive and global environment. (Army photo by Maj. Cain S. Claxton.)

"I serve in the U.S. Army for those who want to but aren't able to. Being third generation Army, I felt like it was my duty; my grandfather served in the Korean War and my father served during the Gulf War." Master Sgt. Lance Walker, 79th Theater Sustainment Command - Forward, senior airdrop operations NCO

USARAF CSM relinquishes responsibility

Vicki Inman is presented with a rosary blessed by Pope Francis during the relinquishment ceremony for her husband, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing U.S. Army Africa command sergeant major, in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman relinquished his position in Italy as he prepares to move to his next assignment as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Soldiers, family and friends stand with Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing U.S. Army Africa command sergeant major, and Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the USARAF commanding general, for the U.S. national anthem in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Both Italian and U.S. anthems played at the commencement of Inman’s relinquishment ceremony. Inman will next serve as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Africa Commanding General Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier presents outgoing USARAF Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman with a parting gift in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman relinquished his position in Italy and will next serve as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the U.S. Army Africa commanding general embraces Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing USARAF command sergeant major, during Inman’s relinquishment ceremony in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman will next serve as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing U.S. Army Africa command sergeant major, reflects on his time and experiences at USARAF during his relinquishment ceremony in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman will next serve as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing U.S. Army Africa command sergeant major, and his wife Vicki, fellow Soldiers and friends listen as Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the USARAF commanding general, reflects on his time working with Inman in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman relinquished his position in Italy as he prepares to move to his next assignment as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, the U.S. Army Africa commanding general, reflects on his time working with Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Inman, the outgoing USARAF command sergeant major, during Inman’s relinquishment ceremony in Vicenza, Italy, Nov. 6, 2019. Inman will next serve as the command sergeant major for the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.