A map of the Sahel region showing where Al Qaeda operates (AFP/Graphic)
Posted on 10/27/2012 8:02:24 AM PDT by combat_boots
WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct 19, 2012 — President Obama has nominated Army General David M. Rodriguez to succeed Army General Carter F. Ham as the commander of U.S. Africa Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said, October 18, 2012.
U.S. Africa Command is the newest combatant command, and its headquarters is in Stuttgart, Germany. The command encompasses all of Africa and its adjacent waters except for Egypt.
The Senate must confirm Rodriguez, who currently is commander of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.
"He has served in a variety of key leadership roles on the battlefield," Panetta said in announcing the nomination. Rodriguez was the first commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, the corps-level command in Afghanistan. He was the commander during the surge into Afghanistan, "and was a key architect of the successful campaign plan that we are now implementing," Panetta said.
Ham has served as the Africa Command chief since March 2011. "Under his leadership, Africom has played a very central role in some very important missions," the secretary said. "From the NATO campaign in Libya that led to the fall of Gadhafi to successful counterterrorism efforts in Somalia [and] Yemen to efforts we are now involved in in Nigeria and Mali and elsewhere, General Ham has really brought Africom into a very pivotal role in that challenging region."
The nation is "deeply grateful for his outstanding service," he said.
Panetta also announced the nomination of Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr. to receive his fourth star and serve as the next assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. He would succeed Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., whom the president has nominated to command coalition and U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Paxton is commander of Marine Corps Forces Command, Marine Fleet Force Atlantic and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe. Paxton and Dunford also must be confirmed for their jobs by the Senate.
looks like Obama is trying to find his scapegoat for *not* rescuing the Americans in Benghazi.
Time for an interview with General Ham, ASAP, before anything happens to him.
No doubt Rodriquez is an a$$ kissing politically upwardly mobile General who has seen little action. As Panetta put it, he’s had many “leadership” positions. Funny he didn’t say “combat” posts.
There is a story (rumor?) out in the ether that Ham was fired 30 seconds after he refused to obey a “stand down” order.
...not sayin’ it’s true....just sayin’ it’s out there.
And we are supposed to believe our brave Generals will prevent Obama from remaining in office even if he loses the election. Fat Chance!! If Obama gets a pass on this, he will have no reason to fear anything. He will have proven he has control of the Media, the CIA, and the Military, even while betraying the military. He will NOT go quietly.
I don’t think this has anything to do with Benghazi. Ham has been in trouble for a few months over some pretty lavish spending habits that have been reported in the Army Times. He will be retiring, but the question is whether he will retire as a 4 star or a 3 star. Dempsey wants him to keep all 4 stars, but Panetta hasn’t made up his mind.
Fragging was also common to those who were in leadership positions that had no business being there.
Romney’s Military Advisory Council of over 300 retired “flag” officers is an indicator that he is about to clean out the Pentagon. I would think that Allen West is going to play a key role on the legislative side as well. Although I like him for Defense Secretary, he might be better serving as the new Armed Services Committee Chairman.
On the intelligence side, my vote goes to Michael Scheuer
http://non-intervention.com/
You had an ambassador and communication professional (Smith) who were guarded by the ‘February 17th Martyrs Brigade’.
Were they trafficking heavy arms to Syria? Probably. We’re they doing something hinky? Definitely.
Was what they were doing likely the province of the CIA? Most definitely.
Was the CIA looking in on outright incompetence, while literally within earshot of rifle fire? Yes!
This all misplays Obama’s ideology, long held paranoia and bias world view. I’m sure Obama and his people thought what Steven’s was doing was sexy, because it was risky. Of coarse, a leftist can’t trust the CIA, right? The CIA killed Che, Obama’s hero, Obama is the self styled Che of the new Islamic caliphate.
Again, you can’t trust the CIA, that is until your getting your ass shot off in a third world hell hole and your leftist party friends leave you for dead.
Does the military have to report WHEN Ham either resigned, informed of his intention to “retire”, or was relieved of his duties? If so, where is that reported so we can see whether the rumors are true?
A map of the Sahel region showing where Al Qaeda operates (AFP/Graphic)
Michael Weaver posted this on Facebook:
Thanks combat_boots. Rodriguez? Election in ten days? Nah, no pandering there.
I read about Ham a few weeks ago and thought, wow, how long have the PINO and Panetta allowed this to go on — Was it disinformation or the truth about Ham’s actions on the spending?
Could Stevens have been sacrificed to get rid of evidence of the collaboration going on?
Anyone recognize those foreign jump wings?
This guy may be the real deal - not a pentagon desk jockey.
I'll ask "#2 Son" -- (SGT Major candidate, Ft Bragg) -- he'll know the "straight skinny"...
Rodriguez was a regional commander when I was in Afghanistan... Back then he was not PC at all.
Might you be thinking about Ham’s predecessor, Gen. William “Kip” Ward?
Army Times headlines and link:
“DoD details 4-star’s lavish spending”
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/08/ap-ward-africom-lavish-spending-081712
FReegards
General David M. Rodriguez.
Is this another Perfumed Pantagon Prince or can he actually do something to defend the country?
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