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.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

