Pentagon hunting for permanent home for U.S. Africa Command

[unhappycamper]

Pentagon hunting for permanent home for U.S. Africa Command
By Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 26, 2010; 7:46 PM

The Pentagon is reopening a worldwide search for a home for its Africa military command, which still lacks a permanent headquarters three years after it was created.

Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, the Obama administration's nominee to take charge of the U.S. Africa Command, or Africom, told a Senate committee last week that he would launch the search if he is confirmed. The command is based in Stuttgart, Germany, partly because African countries strongly objected to the prospect of an expanded U.S. military presence on their continent.

"I think I should approach this, if confirmed, essentially with a blank piece of paper," Ham told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Among the options, Ham said, would be to move Africom headquarters - and its 1,500 jobs - to the United States, where lawmakers are already eyeing the post as a economic boon for their districts.

One possibility is southwestern Virginia, where state officials have seized on it as a potential consolation prize for the anticipated loss of the U.S. Joint Forces Command.

[malaise]

1. Keep them out of Africa

that's the best solution.

[hobbit709]

2. since Africa doesn't want them, why do we need one in the first place?

give the clown in charge a broom closet in the basement of the Pentagon, that should be good enough.

[Ghost Dog]

3. Out of Europe, too, please.

Hey, if they must, how about locating this HQ and its associated jobs on some lonely volcanic island off the coast of Africa in the South Atlantic - Saint Helena for example (only US-UK deal required)!

[ixion]

4. the 800 lb Gorilla in the corner says:

Why do we need military bases all over the world?

[FarCenter]

5. Maybe Detroit?

They need jobs, have lots of open space?

[Mimosa]

6. Very interesting.

And who the heck would un-rec this OP? *jaw drops*

[cornermouse]

7. Someone needs to point out to the Pentagon

that we're evolving into third world status and third world countries don't have permanent homes on every continent and boo-koo bases in however many countries.

[madrchsod]

8. pentagon.opps i mean multinational corporations

want a policeman to keep order and make sure chinese gangs don`t take over the hood....