U.S. Central Command announced a new task force Tuesday that it hopes will speed up and simplify the process of equipping units with combat-ready technology.
The new organization, the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force, will be led by CENTCOM’s chief technology officer, Joy Shanaberger, and will focus on synthesizing logistics for capability, software and tech diplomacy.
“The new task force will synergize existing efforts among our Service components and support Secretary Hegseth’s drive to rapidly equip our warriors,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a release.
The task force, which will bring together a wide variety of specialists with backgrounds including data integration, logistics, warfighter integration, resourcing and information systems, aims to deliver viable technology to service members and units in the field within 60 days.
“Our goal is to rapidly deliver innovation, meaning putting combat-credible capability into the hands of our warfighters in 60 days or less. Equipping skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge capabilities will deter bad actors,” Shanaberger stated in the release.
The task force also supports the Pentagon’s initiative to rapidly acquire and field drones, detailed in a July 10 memo released by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
That memo promised to overhaul drone-buying practices and listed three broad goals: bolstering the U.S. drone manufacturing base, delivering thousands of low-cost systems to military units over the next few years and integrating drone operations into training programs.
Zita Ballinger Fletcher previously served as editor of Military History Quarterly and Vietnam magazines and as the historian of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She holds an M.A. with distinction in military history.
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