U.S. Africa Command to quit Germany, but new headquarters host is a mystery

U.S. Africa Command developing plans to move headquarters

In response to the President’s direction, efforts are now underway to develop plans and options to relocate U.S. Africa Command headquarters and forces from Germany. The command will look first at options elsewhere in Europe, but also will consider options in the United States.

By U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS ,  United States Africa Command 

As part of the U.S. European Command Review, the Secretary of Defense publicly announced plans to make U.S. force adjustments within the European area of operations during a press briefing in Washington D.C., July 29.

The change in force posture is designed to support the National Defense and Security strategies, adapt to changing global strategic environment, and best address global priorities. 

In response to the President’s direction, efforts are now underway to develop plans and options to relocate U.S. Africa Command headquarters and forces from Germany. The command will look first at options elsewhere in Europe, but also will consider options in the United States. 

“U.S. Africa Command has been told to plan to move. While it will likely take several months to develop options, consider locations, and come to a decision, the command has started the process. We will ensure we continue to support our host nation and African partners and our families and forces throughout,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command.

The command stood up in 2008 to protect and advance U.S. national interests in Africa and develop capable, professional partner nation military forces there and has been headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany since its inception.

“It is important our African partners understand our commitment to them remains strong,” said Townsend. “U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with our African and other partners to address mutual interests.”

Continued cooperation with German partners remains critical to solving complex international challenges. 

“We are very grateful to Germany for their partnership and serving as host to Headquarters U.S. Africa Command. International cooperation remains important to addressing mutual security challenges, especially in Africa,” said Townsend.

Potential options will be assessed to ensure appropriate positioning of forces to deal with future challenges. 

The Department of Defense remains the lead for overseas force adjustment decisions and the global combatant command review. 

“We remain committed to our forces and families,” said Townsend. “We will conduct a deliberate and thorough planning process to ensure our team is prepared for what lies ahead.”

United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is one of six of the U.S. Defense Department’s geographic combatant commands and is responsible to the Secretary of Defense for military relations with African nations, the African Union, and African regional security organizations. A full-spectrum combatant command, AFRICOM is responsible for all U.S. Department of Defense operations, exercises, and security cooperation on the African continent, its island nations, and surrounding waters. AFRICOM began initial operations on Oct. 1, 2007, and officially became fully operational capable on Oct. 1, 2008.

Personnel

U.S. Africa Command has approximately 2,000 assigned personnel, including military, U.S. federal civilian employees, and U.S. contractor employees. About 1,500 work at the command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Others are assigned to AFRICOM units at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom. The command’s programs in Africa are coordinated through Offices of Security Cooperation and Defense Attaché Offices in approximately 38 nations. The command also has liaison officers at key African posts, including the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre in Ghana.

Mission

U.S. Africa Command Directorate for Manpower and Personnel (USAFRICOM J1) provides the combatant command manpower and personnel support, synchronizing personnel support efforts to the joint force, managing the Joint Manpower Program and providing personnel planning, headquarters strength management, personnel policy, reserve component personnel support, and theater and contingency Joint Force manning in support of U.S. Africa Command’s theater strategy, plans, and operations.

Our Team

AFRICOM’s team sets the conditions for success of our security cooperation programs and activities on the continent. They perform detailed planning, provide essential command and control, establish and sustain relationships with our partners, and provide timely assessments. They are:

U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) – Operating from Vicenza, Italy, USARAF conducts sustained security engagement with African land forces to promote security, stability, and peace.

U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) – Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVAF’s primary mission is to improve the maritime security capability and capacity of African partners. Personnel are shared with U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA) – As the air component of USAFRICOM, AFAFRICA conducts sustained security engagement and operations to promote air safety, security, and development in Africa.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF) – Located in Stuttgart, Germany, MARFORAF conducts operations, exercises, training, and security cooperation activities throughout the African continent. Its staff is shared U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) – In the Horn of Africa, CJTF-HOA is the U.S. Africa Command organization that conducts operations in the region to enhance partner nation capacity, promote regional security and stability, dissuade conflict, and protect U.S. and coalition interests. CJTF-HOA is critical to U.S. AFRICOM’s efforts to build partner capacity to counter violent extremists and address other regional security partnerships. CJTF-HOA, with approximately 2,000 personnel assigned, is headquartered at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti.

U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) – SOCAFRICA, co-located with U.S. Africa Command at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, aims to build operational capacity, strengthen regional security and capacity initiatives, implement effective communication strategies in support of strategic objectives, and eradicate violent extremist organizations.