VICENZA, Italy –
Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, visited U.S. Army Garrison Italy on Aug. 1 to recognize employees and assess garrison support to the Southern European Task Force and the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
The visit included a command briefing and an overview of deployment operations, followed by facility tours at Caserma Del Din and Caserma Ederle. Smith met with leaders and engaged employees — many of them Italian civilians — at the postal service center and fire department.
He toured housing construction sites at Villaggio and Ederle, including a mock-up apartment representing one of 50 new family units scheduled to open in 2026.
During lunch at the Arena, Smith led an employee recognition ceremony. His itinerary also included visits to the Child Development Center, Combined Services Center, and a brief tour of Vicenza, with a stop at the Monte Berico lookout.
“It’s a great opportunity for our garrison team to show a senior leader firsthand how we support Soldiers and families,” said Col. Vaughn Strong, commander of USAG Italy. “These visits highlight the hard work and dedication of our garrison staff, and we’re grateful to Maj. Gen. Smith for taking the time to visit."