We Are SETAF-AF | Sgt. 1st Class James Vervaecke

Sgt. 1st Class James Vervaecke, chief customs agent and customs program manager in the Operational Protection Directorate at Southern European Task Force, Africa, describes his unit’s role in inspecting military cargo moving from Africa to the United States. Under Transcom regulation, cargo leaving the continent must be inspected and certified by a customs agent for USDA compliance and law enforcement, to prevent illegal trafficking through military channels.

SETAF-AF serves as the office of primary responsibility for customs on the African continent, conducting inspections for exercises including Justified Accord and African Lion, as well as for other units operating there. Over the past 12 months, the team inspected more than 30,000 pieces of cargo, including over 4,000 pieces during African Lion in a single month, and conducted inspections in 12 other countries, achieving a 100% compliance rate with USDA and Transcom regulations.

Sources: US Army Europe and Africa (YouTube)