Military Leader Poised to Become First Air Force Officer to Command African Command
**U.S. Air Force General Nominated to Lead U.S. Africa Command**
Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, a distinguished senior officer in the United States Air Force, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to become the next commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). If confirmed, he will be the first Air Force general to lead AFRICOM since its establishment in 2007.
Lt. Gen. Anderson, who currently serves as Director for Joint Force Development on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, boasts a career spanning over three decades in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a master's degree in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
As an experienced pilot, Lt. Gen. Anderson has clocked over 3,400 flight hours, including more than 700 combat hours, flying aircraft such as KC-135 Stratotankers, MC-130 special operations transports, and U-28 reconnaissance planes. He has also held command positions, including commander of the 19th Special Operations Squadron, the 58th Special Operations Wing, and U.S. Special Operations Command-Africa (SOC-Africa).
From June 2019 to July 2021, Lt. Gen. Anderson commanded SOC-Africa, based in Stuttgart, Germany. During his tenure, he oversaw critical operations, including the highly complex withdrawal of U.S. troops from Somalia in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as Operation Octave Quartz. This operation successfully repositioned over 700 service members and 900 pallets of cargo in under 60 days.
Lt. Gen. Anderson's appointment to lead AFRICOM marks a strategic shift in the U.S. military's approach in Africa, with greater emphasis on air operations, aerial surveillance, rapid deployment, and special operations forces — areas where his expertise is particularly strong. His extensive operational experience in Africa and academic background in international policy uniquely position him to address the complex security and diplomatic challenges across Africa.
If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson would oversee U.S. military operations in Africa, a continent where American troops have stepped up airstrikes as part of an effort to limit militant groups' territorial gains. Meanwhile, China and Russia are vying for greater influence across the African continent. Lt. Gen. Anderson's appointment comes as the U.S. seeks to strengthen its presence and partnerships in Africa.
[1] https://www.defense.gov/Biographies/Biography/Biography_View/Article/2532699/biography-of-lt-gen-dagvin-r-m-anderson/ [2] https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/2123582/lt-gen-dagvin-r-m-anderson/ [3] https://www.airforcemag.com/dr-dagvin-anderson-set-to-take-command-of-africom/ [4] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/06/25/air-force-general-dagvin-anderson-to-take-command-of-africom-in-july/
- The U.S. Air Force General, Dagvin R.M. Anderson, nominated to take over as the commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is expected to lead with a focus on air operations, aerial surveillance, rapid deployment, and special operations forces, given his extensive expertise in these areas.
- As the first Air Force general to lead AFRICOM since its inception in 2007, General Anderson's appointment to AFRICOM signals a significant shift in the U.S.'s military strategy in Africa, which prioritizes military operations and strengthens partnerships.
- With his academic background in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a career spanning over three decades in the U.S. Air Force, General Anderson is uniquely positioned to address both the security and diplomatic challenges across the continent.
- In the face of increasing competition from China and Russia in Africa, General Anderson's appointment comes as the U.S. aims to strengthen its presence and partnerships on the continent.
- General Anderson's nomination also happens amid U.S. troops stepping up airstrikes as part of the effort to limit militant groups' territorial gains in Africa.
- Both the military and business communities, including general news and policy-and-legislation sectors, follow the developments closely as they await the Senate's confirmation of Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson for his new role as the next commander of U.S. Africa Command. 1, 2, 3, 4
