More US Marines could be based in Africa

Thousands of US Marines could be based in Africa in coming years as part of America’s so-called global realignment, according to a top army general in the region.

Lieutenant General Steven Hummer, deputy to the commander for military operations in US Africa Command, said the Marine units would likely be similar to those based at Morón Air Base in Spain, which stood up in 2013.

“There’s quite a reach from Morón to get to [certain African countries], depending on the operational aircraft,” Hummer told Marine Corps Times. “As we look at the future of the environment around the world, and the fiscal challenges impeding the number of ships we would like to have, there’s a balancing act we have to achieve between MAGTFs aboard ships and MAGTFs ashore, where they can respond to indications and warnings.”

The units would not only be a crisis response force but also be able to train troops.

“A crisis response force, that could be their primary mission,” Hummer said. “But they could also be doing theater security cooperation training with militaries on the continent. They could participate in exercises, all the while — as we craft these — continuing to develop their skills and readiness toward crisis response.”

US Africa Command stood up five years ago. At the time, African leaders expressed concern about the potential militarization of the continent, which critics believe is now happening.

The US military is likely to expand its presence in the Horn of Africa and in the Middle East, according to Hummer said.

132 US regiments are currently present in the Horn of Africa.

ARA/ARA