New Deployments
First National Guard Deployments to Africa
While the eyes of many analysts are focused on other crises around the world, it seems that some programs have so far escaped the scrutiny of DOGE.
It should be noted that the future of AFRICOM is now the subject of some rumors. Towards the end of February there were reports that the command would be disestablished with the remaining components rolled into EUCOM (European Command). Already the Component of the Air Force has been returned to EUCOM. So, it may not be that much of a stretch to learn of the Army Navy and Marine Corps elements follow suit.
What happens if the Pentagon decides to follow through with these reports. What will the US Military commitment to Africa look like? Currently no frontline combat units deploy to Africa unless the unit is assigned to participate in an exercise. Most units that rotate into Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti are either National Guard Units or Special Forces teams.
We are now a little more than a month into the second term of the Trump Administration and this additional aspect of U.S. strategy towards Africa, like the use of air strikes in support of the Somali Federal Government does not show any aspect of changing at this juncture.
Within the last fortnight a combat team from the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana National Guard conducted annual training to prepare for a deployment to Southern Europe and Africa to support civil authorities in peace and security operations.
The unit from Louisiana are not the only Guardsmen that will be deploying to the region. One month prior the Illinois Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logisitics Element was activated to deploy to the area.
These units will be augmented by engineers from Oklahoma and the New York National Guard as well.
It is a blessing to realize that these missions escape the hyperbole that transcends inside the beltway currently. Ever since AFRICOM was first stood up having a presence of American troops on the continent has been a very controversial position.
The continuation of these deployments is paramount currently. During the current climate for cutting costs these moves are relatively cheap and have a specific timeline for the guardsmen to return home. It is also a simple way to honor committments as well
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