{"id":484872,"date":"2025-06-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=484872"},"modified":"2025-06-19T00:49:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T00:49:02","slug":"from-togo-to-the-task-force-setaf-af-soldier-connects-heritage-with-mission-at-african-lion-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=484872","title":{"rendered":"From Togo to the Task Force: SETAF-AF Soldier connects heritage with mission at African Lion 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations\u2014preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
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Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

AGADIR, Morocco \u2013 U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), plays a pivotal role at the exercise.<\/p>\n

Born in Kpalim\u00e9, Togo, Tse oversees the movement of personnel\u2014including distinguished visitors (DVs)\u2014across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, ensuring logistical precision for an exercise involving 10,000 troops from over 50 nations. For Tse, AL25 is more than a mission; it\u2019s a homecoming to the continent where he was born, blending personal heritage with professional purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy role is to plan and provide manifests for all personnel movements, from start to finish,\u201d Tse said. \u201cWhether it\u2019s troops or DVs, I make sure everyone gets where they need to be to keep AL25 running smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n

A global career, built on adaptability<\/h5>\n

Tse\u2019s journey began in a bustling city 120 kilometers north of Lom\u00e9, the capital of Togo. After immigrating to the U.S., he settled in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which he now considers his second home. Enlisting as an automated logistics specialist, Tse built a diverse career, serving as a squad leader, warehouse NCOIC, platoon sergeant, drill sergeant and operations sergeant.<\/p>\n

His assignments have taken him across the world, including Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, as well as nine months in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Poland.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve served across the globe, from Afghanistan to Poland,\u201d Tse said. \u201cEach assignment taught me how to deliver under pressure and adapt to new challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations\u2014preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
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Now with SETAF-AF, Tse\u2019s expertise ensures AL25\u2019s complex personnel movements are seamless, supporting the exercise\u2019s goals of enhancing combat readiness and interoperability among African and NATO partners.<\/p>\n

Turning challenges into growth<\/h5>\n

Tse credits his skilled team for helping him manage AL25\u2019s logistical demands. Yet, his career has presented its share of challenges, most notably mastering the art of briefing general officers (GOs) with concise, actionable information.<\/p>\n

\u201cBriefing GOs is an art\u2014giving them exactly what they need, simply and effectively,\u201d he said. \u201cMy team has been incredible, helping me refine that skill from day one. I\u2019m still learning every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

This reliance on teamwork mirrors Tse\u2019s approach to AL25\u2019s multinational setting, where he navigates language and cultural differences to keep operations on track, from troop manifests to DV schedules.<\/p>\n

Leadership as a mindset<\/h5>\n

Tse views leadership as a mindset rooted in adaptability and clear communication, guiding teams toward shared objectives. During AL25, he has witnessed this principle in action as leaders collaborate across offices, ensuring mission alignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this exercise, leadership is about clear communication at every level,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re all working together, from junior NCOs to senior officers, to make this happen.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

His leadership shines in coordinating logistics across four countries, ensuring every echelon\u2014from planners to executors\u2014functions as a cohesive unit.<\/p>\n

A legacy of impact<\/h5>\n

As AL25 progresses, Tse reflects on the legacy he is crafting. Returning to Africa to support the training of African militaries resonates deeply, tying his personal roots to his professional impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to tell the story of coming back to my continent, helping improve combat readiness and operational efficiency,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what this mission means to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

His advice to young soldiers is straightforward yet powerful.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what\u2019s right. Strive to be better than yesterday and aim for the top,\u201d advised Tse.<\/p>\n

It is a philosophy that has guided his own path of service and growth.<\/p>\n

A life anchored in heritage and purpose<\/h5>\n

Tse maintains a strong connection to Kpalim\u00e9, even as he builds a life in Gaithersburg. These dual homes represent a bridge between his past and present, grounding him amid the demands of military service.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by SETAF-AF on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations\u2014preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett)
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\u201cGaithersburg is home, but Kpalim\u00e9 will always be part of me,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s where I learned the value of hard work and community.\u201d<\/p>\n

As AL25 concludes, Tse\u2019s contributions underscore the power of adaptability, teamwork and purpose. His story bridges continents and cultures, leaving a lasting mark on this historic exercise.<\/p>\n

About African Lion<\/strong><\/p>\n

AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations\u2014preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.<\/p>\n

About SETAF-AF<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a> and U.S. Africa Command<\/a> campaign objectives.<\/p>\n

Follow SETAF-AF on: <\/strong>Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> & DVIDS<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kodzo Tse, the ground movement noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of transportation of the joint force throughout African Lion 2025 (AL25), U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo in Agadir, Morocco, May 22, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":484874,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-484872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=484872"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":484878,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/484872\/revisions\/484878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/484874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=484872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=484872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=484872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}