Special Operations Command Africa

Special Operations Command Africa is a subordinate unified command of United States Special Operations Command, operationally controlled by U.S. Africa Command, collocated with USAFRICOM at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart-Möhringen, Germany. IT was activated on 1 October 2008 and became fully operationally capable on 1 October 2009. Also on 1 October 2008, SOCAFRICA assumed responsibility for the Special Operations Command and Control Element – Horn of Africa, and on 15 May 2009, SOCAFRICA assumed responsibility for Joint Special Operations Task Force Trans – Sahara (JSOTF-TS) – the SOF component of Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara.

Special Operations Command Africa: United States Army Element Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and Combat Service Identification Badge

Objectives

SOCAFRICA's objectives are to build operational capacity, strengthen regional security and capacity initiatives, implement effective communication strategies in support of strategic objectives, and eradicate violent extremist organizations and their supporting networks. SOCAFRICA forces work closely with both U.S. Embassy country teams and African partners, maintaining a small but sustained presence throughout Africa, predominantly in the OEF-TS and CJTF-HOA regions. SOCAFRICA's persistent SOF presence provides an invaluable resource that furthers USG efforts to combat violent extremist groups and builds partner nation CT capacity.^[1]

On 8 April 2011, Naval Special Warfare Unit 10, operationally assigned and specifically dedicated for SOCAFRICA missions, was commissioned at Panzer Kaserne, near Stuttgart, Germany.^[2] It is administratively assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group 2 on the U.S. East Coast.

Organization

Organizations included in SOCAFRICA include:^[3]

• Special Operations Command Forward—East (Special Operations Command and Control Element—Horn of Africa)
• Special Operations Command Forward—Central (AFRICOM Counter—Lord's Resistance Army Control Element)
• Special Operations Command Forward—West (Joint Special Operations Task Force—Trans Sahara)
• Naval Special Warfare Unit 10, Joint Special Operations Air Component Africa, and SOCAFRICA Signal Detachment
• Commander SOCAFRICA serves as the special operations adviser to commander, USAFRICOM.