Rodriguez, experienced in Afghanistan, becomes new AFRICOM boss

Stars and Stripes ^ | 4-5-2013 | John Vandiver

[haffast]

STUTTGART, Germany — Gen. David M. Rodriguez, one of the Army’s most battle-tested officers, took over Friday as head of U.S. Africa Command as the U.S. military is confronting a growing threat from Islamic militant groups operating across the continent.

Rodriguez replaced Gen. Carter F. Ham, who will retire after leading AFRICOM through a tumultuous two years that included leading the military campaign in Libya that ultimately led to the ouster of dictator Moammar Gadhafi and a commando mission to rescue hostages from Somalia. The command also trained African soldiers, who are now engaged in security operations in places such as Somalia and Mali.

snip

Rodriguez, who previously commanded U.S. Army Forces Command, is best known for his time as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command between 2009 and 2011.

At AFRICOM, he said, he would work to build on the foundation laid by Ham.

“I’ll continue this effort and work to build on the relationship General Ham established with our African, European and all our international partners,” Rodriguez said. “These partnerships are essential to achieve our shared objectives.”

Dempsey praised Ham for working with African partners to weaken the Somali Islamic militant group Al-Shabab and helping in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army roaming a vast border region in central Africa.

“Together, you’ve critically weakened Al-Shabab, put the Lord’s Resistance Army on the run and helped beat back extremists in Mali,” Dempsey said. “Not bad for a 5-year-old command.”

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[haffast]

Afghanistan?
Benghazi?
Libya?
Syria?
5,10,15 years?

[llevrok]

let’s see how long it is before the Totalitarian fires him for failing a loyalty test too.

[Mmogamer]

He may have already passed it.