Major General Michael Snodgrass, chief of staff for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), presided over a transfer of authority and assumption of command ceremony conducted at Royal Air Force Molesworth, England, July 7 2010.

Assuming command of U.S. AFRICOM's Intelligence & Knowledge Development Directorate - Molesworth (IKD-M), is newly selected and promoted Colonel Michele M. Cook who arrives to the command from the U.S. Air Force A-2 headquarters in Washington, DC. Cook will lead the organization for the next three years.

IKD-M's UK footprint has doubled over the last two years under the tenure of Colonel Mike Vance who led the organization during its building and organization. Given the growth of the organization's population as well as mission, AFRICOM felt that appointing an officer with Commanding Officer authorities was an important next step.

IKD, led by Mr. Terrence Ford, is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany but extends to both England at RAF Molesworth, and to the United States where IKD-T (Tampa) is co-located with Central Command Headquarters.

In keeping with the U.S. AFRICOM mission, IKD-M analyzes, produces, disseminates and develops intelligence knowledge to help promote a more stable Africa.