Africa Command plans approved by Bush, DOD officials confirm

[lebkuchen]

President Bush has approved a plan for an Africa Command, defense officials said Friday.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen mentioned the move during a visit Thursday to Naples.

“The President, on the 15th of December, made the decision to stand it up,” Mullen told sailors. “There was a working group for about the last, the last several months, to look at all of the issues that are associated with that.”

The White House could not provide any information on the matter Friday.

...

As it stands, the UCP has most of Africa falling under the purview of Germany-based U.S. European Command; the Horn of Africa under the responsibility of U.S. Central Command; and Madagascar and other African Islands off the continent’s east coast under U.S. Pacific Command.

There is no timeline for when the proposed change in the UCP creating an Africa Command would go to the president for his approval, the Pentagon official said.

Details, such as where the command would be headquartered and how many personnel would be assigned, still need to be worked out, the official said.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=42476

[Trajan]

1. Hey Leb .... Long time ....

Happy Holidays ...

I just learned the other day : Gingerbread .....

:hi:

[lebkuchen]

3. Happy New Year to you, too, Trajan

I am in the alps right now, and there isn't much snow, but we hiked the trails we used to ski. Nothing but sunshine and clear skies for the last week!

I hope you have a pleasant New Year, one that suits all your needs. :)

[Ghost Dog]

2. We've been watching this coming, here in the Canary Islands

where that headquarters, R&R facilities, officers' families, along with the Terramark NAP communications center will be far from welcome.

But, of course, 'global long war' in Africa, and increased resource exploitation (and increased human exodus), is just what some people need.

We'll smoke 'em out. Bring it on.

[lebkuchen]

4. exploitation of Africa's resources?

I thought we were there on a humanitarian mission!

(end sarcasm)