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| (From left) Col. Pierre Lamontagne and Col. Michael Meijburg, forgeign liason officers from Canada and Netherlands, respectively, listen to a command brief given by U.S. Army Africa personnel. FLOs from Africa Command visited U.S. Army Africa Jan. 10 to identify potential areas for cooperation and gain an understanding of partner nation objectives and activities. (U.S. Army Africa photo by Sgt. Terysa M. King) | |||
Foreign liaison officers visit USARAF
By Sgt. Terysa M. King, U.S. Army Africa Public Affairs
VICENZA, Italy – Six foreign liaison officers (FLOs) from Africa Command visited U.S. Army Africa Jan. 10 to identify potential areas for cooperation, gain an understanding of partner nation objectives and activities, learn from the experience and expertise of Allies and establish relationships.
"This is the first official visit by the group of FLOs. This visit allows us to synchronize our activities in Africa and also develop activities and events for future cooperation," said Joy Mann, a theater strategy development specialist with USARAF.
The visiting FLOs, representing Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, Canada and Italy, are military and civilian employees from foreign governments who are certified by a Department of Army component. They assist with programs, projects or agreements of interest to their governments as well as facilitate cooperation and a mutual understanding between AFRICOM and African armies.
The visit's agenda included an office call with Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahue II, USARAF commanding general, as well as meetings and briefings with key staff members. An expected outcome of the visit was for FLOs to develop USARAF contacts for future networking and gain an understanding of the USARAF mission.
"It is important to continue to enhance the relationship with the FLOs because it allows us [USARAF] to discuss efforts in Africa and identify potential gaps," Mann said.
Col. Kevin Marcus, USARAF G-5 Plans director, said this FLO visit allowed USARAF to build relationships and common understanding.
"Both challenges and opportunities in Africa are beyond the means of any single force or any single nation to tackle," Marcus said. "USARAF needs to reach out to its Allies and partners to share perspectives that allow us to build a common understanding of current initiatives or emphasis areas that will let us deconflict and, in the future, synchronize our efforts," he said.