A proposal for a new African Command is in the final stages and will be sent to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld by the end of October, an unnamed military official told Voice of America News. Time Magazine online reported in August that the Pentagon was working this initiative, which would put Africa under one command instead of the three that currently share the region. According to VOA, Rumsfeld requested a “milestone” proposal developed in collaboration by Central Command, European Command, and Pacific Command—all of which share some portion of Africa under the current Unified Command Plan.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.