USAFRICOM: Operational Considerations are Paramount in Selecting a Headquarters Location

The influence of the African continent on world stability has recently been recognized by the United States, China, and several European nations. The United States has outlined several strategic concerns for the continent, including preventing terrorist safe havens, slowing China's expansive influence in the region, retarding the spread of HIV/AIDS, improving regional stability, and responding to humanitarian crises. America's first step in resolving these enormous problems is the creation of Africa Command. The location of the new Unified Command headquarters has been the subject of much speculation, but it is widely believed it will ultimately be located on the African continent. Many nations are skeptical about the United States' commitment to the continent and have openly refused to host the headquarters, although it is commonly thought that many nations are willing to host the command but do not want to appear too eager. The leaders of USAFRICOM indicate that they do not plan to build large-scale military bases or infrastructure on the vast African continent; instead, it will rely upon and enhance existing transportation and communication networks to meet mission requirements. The lack of a traditional military base from which to operate, the enormity of the African continent, and an extremely diverse mission set dictate that operational and mission considerations be the primary drivers in the selection of USAFRICOM's headquarters location(s). The author outlines the seven primary needs of USAFRICOM and concludes that multiple locations will be required to achieve USAFRICOM's objectives. The locations recommended are Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and Kenya.
The original document contains color images.