Army Maj. Gen. Charles Hooper, US Africa Command’s director of strategy, plans, and programs, said AFRICOM’s small force structure, limited assets, and relatively small budget stand as a model for the leaner, more agile operations outlined in the Obama Administration’s new defense strategy. “If you look at the strategic guidance, it talks about a small footprint,” said Hooper in a June 11 Pentagon release. He added, “I would say that Africa Command is the quintessential small footprint. . . . We have become masters at providing the maximum return on investment.” AFRICOM has no permanently assigned forces and limited headquarters forces on the ground. “I think we get a disproportionately positive effect for a relatively small investment,” said AFRICOM Commander Army Gen. Carter Ham. “We don’t use lots of troops. Generally, our exercises and engagements are pretty small-scale.” He said the effect of AFRICOM’s engagement “is multiplied because our focus is on training and enabling the Africans to do things for themselves.” (AFPS report by Donna Miles)
President-elect Donald Trump has said he will nominate Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality, as Secretary of Defense for Trump's second term. The choice rounds out most of the national security selections for the new administration.