Ramstein Air Base, Germany- One of the new units in the US Air Force has taken on a challenging military operations duty, the Air lift operations for Africa. The new 17th Air Force command began in October 2008, and assumed the responsibility for airlift missions on the Africa continent.
It will also work to assist different African nations to improve their security and air safety, and to help members of African nations in preventing local and regional conflicts. “We are already in Africa, and we will help prevent conflicts and teach the local officials how to avoid new conflicts,” said Major General Ron Ladnier.
AFRICOM had its activation on 1 October, 2008, and it takes over responsibilities for the Africa continent that were divided between US European Command, US Central Command, and US Pacific Command in the past.
The primary Air component duties of the 17th Air Force are being assumed from US European Command and the 3rd Air Force. It is a new Air Force Unit that has as one of its primary functions the unification and centralized command of forces of the Air Force in Africa.
