The Department of Defense has updated the Unified Command Plan, a key strategic document that establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas of responsibility for commanders of combatant commands.
The UCP 2008, signed by President Bush December 17, 2008, codifies USAFRICOM and assigns several new missions to the combatant commanders; in particular, it codifies USNORTHCOM's responsibility for synchronizing DoD planning efforts in support of the U.S. Government response to Pandemic Influenza, updates "cyberspace operations" responsibilities assigned to USSTRATCOM, and assigns all combatant commanders responsibility for planning and conducting military support to stability, security, transition, and reconstruction operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.