US, Central African Republic hold garrison management engagement in Italy
VICENZA, Italy — Senior military leaders of the Central African Republic Armed Forces met with U.S. and Italian counterparts in Vicenza, Italy, for a garrison management engagement focused on strengthening the institutional systems that sustain military forces and build long-term readiness, Aug. 24-25.
The engagement gathered leaders and subject matter experts from U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), U.S. Army Garrison Italy and the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units to exchange practices in installation management, logistics, maintenance, training and security.
“Our priority is building an armed force that can sustain itself over time,” said Central African Republic Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Zephirin Mamadou of the Central African Ministry of Defense. “That means developing not only our personnel, but the systems behind them, the installations, maintenance, logistics and leadership processes that keep a force ready. What we have seen here gives us practical ideas to consider as we continue that work.”
The visit began with a SETAF-AF capabilities brief highlighting the command’s role in supporting U.S. Army activities in Africa and working alongside African partners to advance shared security objectives.
The discussion connected operational capability to the institutional foundations required to generate and sustain readiness.
“A capable force depends on strong institutions behind it,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Glasow, deputy commanding general-Reserves for SETAF-AF. “This engagement is about sharing what has worked for us, listening to what our Central African Republic partners need and identifying practical areas where continued cooperation can make a difference.”
The delegation then examined how those concepts are applied across the Vicenza military community. U.S. Army Garrison Italy provided an installation management and operations overview covering the services and infrastructure required to support Soldiers, families and tenant organizations.
“Most people see the finished product, a functioning installation,” said Matt Seifert, deputy garrison commander for U.S. Army Garrison Italy. “They don’t always see the coordination behind it. Our job is to connect everything from facilities and services to security and emergency response so commanders and Soldiers can stay focused on the mission.”
At Logistics Readiness Center maintenance facilities, the delegation observed how maintenance operations and accountability systems support equipment readiness. The visit also included 7th Army Training Command facilities, including the Engagement Skills Trainer at Caserma Ederle, demonstrating how installations provide resources to sustain individual proficiency.
The tours provided staff leaders with examples of how planning, accountability and support functions translate into operational capability.
“The important lesson is how these different functions are connected,” said Central African Republic Armed Forces Col. Thierry Briste Matchiyou, head of cabinet for the chief of the General Staff. “Maintenance, training and administration cannot operate independently. Seeing how they are coordinated gives us examples we can study as we refine our own processes.”
A security and law enforcement brief expanded the discussion to installation protection, highlighting the relationship between security forces and the communities and organizations they protect.
“Security is built through preparation and professionalism,” said Central African Republic Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Landry Ulrich Depot, director of the National Gendarmerie. “The exchange allowed us to compare approaches to law enforcement and installation protection and consider how training and procedures can strengthen the effectiveness of the gendarmerie.”
The engagement concluded at CoESPU, where Italian Carabinieri and U.S. Army personnel hosted a capabilities brief, roundtable discussion and training facilities tour focused on stability policing and professional development.
“Stability policing sits at the intersection of security, rule of law and public trust,” said Italian Carabinieri Brig. Gen. Andrea Paris, CoESPU commandant. “Our goal is not to export one model, but to exchange experience so partners can develop solutions suited to their own institutions and operational environments.”
The roundtable allowed participants to discuss how lessons from training and international peace operations can contribute to broader institutional development.
“The facility tour shows what we teach, but the roundtable is where the real exchange happens,” said U.S. Army Col. Joseph Bruhl, CoESPU deputy commandant. “That dialogue lets professionals compare experiences, ask difficult questions and turn broad concepts into ideas they can actually use.”
The engagement demonstrated how garrison management contributes directly to force readiness by connecting command capabilities with installation management, logistics, maintenance, training, security and stability policing.
For the visiting delegation, the week also reinforced the value of sustained engagement as the Central African Republic continues developing its defense and security institutions.
“We return with more than observations,” Mamadou said. “We return with relationships, ideas and examples that we can evaluate against our own requirements. That is what makes an exchange like this valuable to the future development of our armed forces.”
The engagement strengthened professional military relationships while supporting continued cooperation between the United States and Central African Republic, focused on institutional readiness and sustainable defense capacity.
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