17th AF to be revived for Africa Command duty

17th AF to be revived for Africa Command duty
By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, December 11, 2007

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The Air Force plans to resurrect its historic 17th Air Force to become the assigned unit for airmen serving in the Pentagon’s new Africa Command.

U.S. Air Forces Europe headquarters, based at Ramstein, formed a transition team to develop its newest numbered command, Capt. Greg Hignite said Monday. The team had its first meeting less than two months ago.

The history of the 17th dates to the 1950s when it was based in Morocco.

Africa Command is a new regional command that will eventually oversee U.S. military operations on the continent.

While some of the details on the 17th’s command are still being worked out, it will be led by a two-star general and a one-star vice commander, Hignite said. Both officers have not been named.


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