Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey receives the colors of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa during a change of command ceremony at Caserma Ederle, Italy, July 18, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

VICENZA, Italy — The U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa has a new leader after a change of command ceremony Thursday at Caserma Ederle.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey takes over at SETAF-AF for Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, who led SETAF-AF for the past two years.

Gainey takes over a force that provides U.S. Africa Command a crisis-reponse force and a headquarters to synchronize Army activities on the continent.

“Words cannot express how humbled and honored I am,” Gainey said upon taking command at the ceremony.

Prior to assuming command of SETAF-AF, Gainey was in charge of U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s 56th Artillery Command, headquartered in Mainz-Kastel, Germany.

Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment fire an M119A2 howitzer during a change of command ceremony at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, on July 18, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund speaks during a change of command ceremony July 18, 2024, at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. Wasmund relinquished his command of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa during the ceremony. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey, the incoming commander of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, speaks July 18, 2024, during a change of command ceremony at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)

Gainey’s arrival comes as the Army finds its Africa mission in flux.

In the wake of a coup last summer in Niger, tensions flared with the new ruling military junta over the U.S. presence in the country. The withdrawal of 1,000 American personnel from Niger was recently finalized.

In addition, the return of great-power competition has brought an increase in challenges from Russia and China for influence on the continent.

Russian private military contractors have made inroads from Libya to the Central African Republic, and Niger is also turning toward Russia as a replacement following the U.S. pullout.

SETAF-AF’s outgoing commander, Wasmund, plans to retire later this year, task force officials said. U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Michael Langley thanked him Thursday.

“We all know how you have invested so much working side by side with our partners and bringing lasting security, stability and prosperity,” Langley said.