President Obama has nominated Army Gen. Carter Ham to be the next commander of US Africa Command. If confirmed by the Senate, Ham would replace Army Gen. Kip Ward, who has led AFRICOM since its inception in October 2007. Ham is currently serving as the commanding general of US Army Europe and Seventh Army, both in Heidelberg, Germany. AFRICOM is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The command is charged with providing US military support to US government policy in Africa, including military-to-military relationships with African partner nations. (DOD release)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.