SETAF-AF joins G-TEAD, USAREUR-AF at AUSA to explain how operational challenges in Africa drive tactical solutions

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) commander outlined how Africa is where operational problems are defined, solutions are tested in realistic conditions, and results are shared across the Army during the 2026 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Oct. 14.

Maj. Gen. Matthew W. Brown, SETAF-AF commanding general, joined Col. Christopher Hill, director of the Army's Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), and Kevin Marcus, G5 plans director for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, for a media roundtable. The leaders discussed how the Army is expanding its Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) initiative to translate urgent commander priorities into executable requirements with acquisition authorities at the tactical edge.

Brown emphasized that SETAF-AF delivers the U.S. Army - the foundation of the joint force - to Africa in support of U.S. Africa Command's theater strategic objectives.

He also highlighted SETAF-AF's mission of maintaining scalable crisis-response force options and executing Army service component command responsibilities across Africa on behalf of USAREUR-AF. These operational demands drive three key innovation priorities: counter-unmanned aircraft systems, multinational command and control, and austere sustainment.

"Counter-UAS capability is my current number one innovation priority," Brown said.

To support these priorities, G-TEAD assigned a team to SETAF-AF in summer 2026 to link rapid acquisition resources and authorities with immediate operational needs. The commands will use the ACE framework as a fast-track pathway to identify, evaluate and deliver field-ready technology.

SETAF-AF's first ACE is scheduled for spring 2027 in Tan-Tan, Morocco. It will focus on C-UAS and force protection, targeting capability gaps in protecting early-entry command posts and operating locations against Group 1-3 small UAS.

Hill explained that each ACE begins with a commander's problem statement. Industry responses are narrowed to about 15 vendors for a Soldier-led demonstration, with roughly five advancing through a 45-day improvement window based on direct Soldier feedback, culminating in an operational assessment.

"The process begins and ends with the commander," Hill said.

Africa offers an open spectrum, uncongested airspace and a versatile environment that training ranges in the United States and Europe cannot easily match. These conditions allow Soldiers to validate solutions in theater and scale them across the service. Recognizing these training advantages, industry partners are already scheduling evaluations at the African Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (AMTEC) through the Army's new test-range portal.

"Until recently, I had never seen operational commanders engage directly with acquisition professionals in the way we're able to today," Brown said, calling it one of the biggest equipping changes he has been part of during his military career.

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About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.