The 617th Air and Space Operations Center at Ramstein AB, Germany—Air Forces Africa’s nerve center for supporting US military air activities on the African continent—is expected to be fully operational by June, Army Gen. William Ward, US Africa Command head, told Senate lawmakers Tuesday. This new AOC stood up in May 2009 and in January assumed responsibility for US missions in African airspace. Ward said it will eventually provide a common operating picture of all air and space missions in African. He said its maturation is just one example of AFAFRICA’s growth. For example, AFAFRICA is expanding its air domain safety and security program to develop regional air safety and security tools for civil and military purposes on the continent.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.