Seems GEN Ham was Commander of AFRICOM for the normal two year tour, until April 2013, when he retired. However, he has stated publicly he was in favor of sending rescue forces.
Leon Panetta claimed he was against aiding the besieged embassy. From the supposed de-bunkers at Snopes:
“...Secretary of Defense Panetta stated during an October 2012 press briefing that General Ham was one of the military commanders who had judged it too dangerous to send troops...”
(http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/benghazi.asp#Ssos7R9s2SrFc7Mq.99)
Snopes spoons out standard administration and media swill, ignoring obvious questions like:
“Wouldn’t a guy be reluctant to contradict a vindictive administration on something like this, knowing how they could smear him in the press and mess with his retirement pay” or “Why would the people who floated the Mo-movie insult lie suddenly decide get honest about this fiasco?”