The United States Central Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense. It was established in 1983, taking over the previous responsibilities of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF).
U.S. armored vehicle in Al-Hasakah, Syria, May 2017
Commander of United States Central Command General James Mattis passes the United States Air Forces Central Command or Ninth Air Force guidon to then recently appointed Ninth Air Force Commander Lieutenant General David L. Goldfein at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina on August 3, 2011.
An Army officer briefs Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left, foreground) on counter-ISIL social media activities at MacDill AFB, June 2018.
United States Africa Command
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The United States Africa Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U.S. military operations, including fighting regional conflicts and maintaining military relations with 53 African nations. Its area of responsibility covers all of Africa except Egypt, which is within the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. U.S. AFRICOM headquarters operating budget was $276 million in fiscal year 2012.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (far left), vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James E. Cartwright (left), outgoing combatant commander William E. Ward (right) and incoming commander Carter Ham (far right) at the USAFRICOM change of command ceremony on 9 March 2011.
Image: General Kip Ward November 2009
Image: GEN Carter F.Ham 2011