Veteran Royce Powers shares memories of Italy as SETAF-AF reaches 70-year milestone

VICENZA, Italy - As U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) celebrates 70 years of service, retired U.S. Army Spc. 5 Royce Powers, at the age of 90, reflects on his time in Vicenza during the command's formative years.

Powers joined the Army in 1957, completing basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, followed by electronics school at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and a radar repair course at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. His first overseas assignment sent him to Italy with the 205th Ordnance Platoon, now part of the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade.

"When I left school, I was assigned to the 205th Ordnance Platoon and shipped to Italy," Powers recalled. "My first duty was acting motor sergeant, leading convoys from Leghorn Army Depot to Vicenza with Carabinieri escorts. I remember passing the Leaning Tower of Pisa at 50 mph. It was unforgettable."

Leghorn Army Depot is now part of U.S. Army Garrison Italy - Camp Darby, located near Pisa.

The 205th arrived at Caserma Ederle in 1958, the same year SETAF-AF officially moved from Verona to Vicenza. Powers and his fellow Soldiers initially billeted in an old mansion with marble staircases before their unit became the 160th Ordnance Detachment. They were among the first units assigned to SETAF-AF.

"The firing range on Ederle was great," Powers said. "I remember the soft grass and warm weather. Compared to other stations where firing from a prone position on rock-hard ground would leave me with gravel digging into my elbow."

Daily life blended duty with camaraderie. Mornings began with strong Italian coffee before heading to the shop to repair equipment. Evenings often included card games, visits to the enlisted members club, or meals in town.

"The duty was great, and I really enjoyed my time in Italy," Powers said. "We went to town a lot to eat at local restaurants. I was surprised to find that pizza was not as popular as in the states. Thanksgiving dinners were especially good, and I hear that hasn't changed."

Off duty, Powers and his fellow Soldiers explored northern Italy. He fondly remembers water sports at Lake Garda, skiing at Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites, visiting Venice and enjoying beaches along the Adriatic Sea.

One highlight was watching the human chess match in Marostica, a centuries-old tradition that began with a 1454 duel, where the victor earned the hand of the Venetian governor's daughter.

"The people were friendly, the food and wine were excellent, and the countryside and architecture were beautiful," Powers said. "There weren't too many cars back then. Lots of people used bicycles and motor scooters."

After leaving the Army, Powers leveraged his military education into a 31-year career in mainframe computing. He married in 1961, raised two children, toured 49 states in a motor home, and settled in Florida.

"Serving in Italy was a short trip through my past, but one I'll never forget," he said.

Stories like Powers' highlight the enduring connections between Soldiers and the communities they serve, reflecting the command's legacy and the experiences that continue to shape U.S. Army operations in Vicenza and beyond.

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.

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