MAXWELL-GUNTER AIR FORCE BASE, Ala., March 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Africa Command is partnering with Air University on a conference to bring together top defense experts to establish priorities for the new command.
Africom, the newest command headquarters for the U.S. military, became operational in October and has been working to establish itself.
Africom announced it is partnering with the U.S. Air Force's Air University on a conference to suggest proposals and policy recommendations for the new command and the 17th Air Force, which is a part of Africom, the Air Force reported.
The three-day conference, beginning March 31, will be held at Alabama's Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and is expected to bring together experts from a number of sectors to address the wide range of concerns in Africa.
"Attendees' participation will help in the development of U.S. Africa Command and Air Force policies and programs dealing with Africa," Stephen Burgess, associate professor for the Department of International Security at Air University's Air War College, said in a statement.
The establishment of Africom was part of an effort to take over operational responsibility of the African continent from U.S. Central Command, U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. European Command, which jointly operated in Africa. U.S. Central Command handles Egypt.
