Senior IMCOM Leader Visits U.S. Army Garrison Italy

By USAG Italy Public Affairs OfficeAugust 1, 2025

U.S. Navy Lt. Armando Florez briefs Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, on the progress of new Army Family Housing construction during his Aug. 1 to Caserma Ederle.
U.S. Navy Lt. Armando Florez briefs Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, on the progress of new Army Family Housing construction during his Aug. 1 to Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army ) VIEW ORIGINAL

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.

Lonnie Heuer, Director of Human Resources at USAG Italy, discusses postal operations with Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Caserma Ederle.
Lonnie Heuer, Director of Human Resources at USAG Italy, discusses postal operations with Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

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.

Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, and Alicia Exum, program operations specialist for Child and Youth Services,  wave hello to kids at U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s Child Development Center during...
Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, and Alicia Exum, program operations specialist for Child and Youth Services, wave hello to kids at U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s Child Development Center during his Aug. 1 visit to Caserma Ederle (Photo Credit: Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

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.

Fire Chief Adam Montoya, explains emergency services operations at USAG Italy to Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Vicenza, Italy,
Fire Chief Adam Montoya, explains emergency services operations at USAG Italy to Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Vicenza, Italy, (Photo Credit: Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

“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.”

Sonia Paoloni, Director of the USAG Italy S-5, explains planned improvements at Caserma Del Din to Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Vicenza.
Sonia Paoloni, Director of the USAG Italy S-5, explains planned improvements at Caserma Del Din to Maj. Gen. James Smith, acting commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command, during his Aug. 1 visit to Vicenza. (Photo Credit: Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL