U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)

Congress has continued to examine the evolving role and posture of the U.S. military in Africa since AFRICOM became fully operational as the newest U.S. geographic combatant command in 2008. The command is responsible for Department of Defense (DOD) operations, exercises, and security cooperation on the African continent, its island nations, and its surrounding waters. AFRICOMs stated mission is to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity in Africa, in concert with interagency and international partners, by building defense capabilities, responding to crises, and deterring and defeating transnational threats. AFRICOM Commander General David Rodriguez has stated that the commands most important responsibility is to detect, deter and prevent attacks against the United States, its territories, possessions, and bases and to employ appropriate force to defend the nation should deterrence fail. Before AFRICOM became a stand-alone command in October 2008, responsibility for U.S. military involvement in Africa was divided among European, Central, and Pacific Commands. Its area of responsibility (AOR) does not include Egypt, which remains in Central Commands AOR. Its FY2015 budget request (headquarters, operations, exercises and related programs) is $245 million.