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.
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.
