Gen. Darryl Williams is the new U.S. Army Europe and Africa commanding general (Credit: U.S. Army)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa community Thursday welcomed its new commander, Gen. Darryl Williams, during a change of command ceremony on U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany. Gen. Williams took over from Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the outgoing U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander. The ceremony was officiated by Gen. Tod Wolters, the U.S. European Command commanding general and Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO, and Lt. Gen. Kirk Smith, Deputy Commander U.S. Africa Command. Williams previously served as the commander of NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey. In addition, he held positions as the commander of U.S. Army Africa, in Vicenza, Italy, as well as the deputy chief of staff G3/5/7 of the former U.S. Army Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Williams received his fourth star Thursday, and becomes first African-American commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa
As a two-star general, Williams was in charge of U.S. Army Africa, headquartered in Vicenza, Italy. Williams has extensive experience both in Europe and Africa
West Point Appointed Williams as the first African-American superintendent in its 216-year history
Most recently he served as superintendent of U.S. Military Academy West Point, appointed in 2018. It was the first time in its 216-year history, an African American commanded the U.S. Army Academy at West Point.
Gen. Darryl Williams, the new commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, accepts the guidon from Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), during the Change of Command Ceremony on June 28, 2022, at Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany. Williams assumed command from Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who will move on to become commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s SACEUR. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Fry)
Williams thanked leadership for the privilege of commanding U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
“Leadership and service is both an honor and a privilege, and I am both honored and privileged to continue serving our Army and our nation. And especially honored and privileged to join this outstanding team again to serve as your commander.”
Williams also reiterated U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s commitment to international allies and partners.
“We continue to stand by you, as you have stood by us for decades. As our motto states, we are “Stronger Together” – and we look forward to continuing to strengthen those bonds of friendship and interoperability.”
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Gen. Williams graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1983 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army.
