The future role of US Air Forces in Europe where Africa is concerned has yet to be defined since announcement of the establishment of US Africa Command, reports USAF journalist MSgt. Ron Przysucha. A transition team in Stuttgart, Germany, is working to delineate responsibilities for the new AFRICOM, which will be absorbing work overseen by US European Command, US Central Command, and US Pacific Command. USAFE airmen have been providing varied assistance—from medical to construction to airfield management—to African countries since 1970. Currently, USAFE has explosive ordinance disposal technicians working in Western Africa to help clear landmines from a civil war.
The $4.26 billion Small Business Innovation Research contracting program widely used by the Air Force went into hibernation as the government shut down Oct. 1, but unless lawmakers strike a deal on reforms, the program could reach an abrupt end.
