As part of efforts to shutter the U.S. Joint Forces Command, the Defense Department announced it is reassigning several “critical’ JFCOM organizations and functions to other branches and commands, according to a DoD press release.
Those JFCOM functions and organizations deemed critical have been reassigned to other combatant commands, services and the Joint Staff. For example, the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, which provides rapid assistance for setting up a joint task force headquarters, will be shifted to U.S. Transportation Command. The Joint Warfare Analysis Center, the military’s science and engineering shop, will be assigned to U.S. Strategic Command.
“Our goal is to transfer streamlined, relevant joint functions to appropriate Department of Defense entities,” said JFCOM Cmdr. Gen. Raymond Odierno. “We will ensure we sustain the momentum and gains in jointness while maintaining critical interaction with NATO and other multinational partners.”
JFCOM will officially be shuttered by the end of August 2011, however, the actual physical transfer of all JFCOM activities will be completed by March 2012. Even after the transition is complete, nearly 50 percent of JFCOM’s personnel and budget along with its core missions will remain in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area. These functions will be aligned under the Joint Staff for leadership and direction.
