Military's only black four-star general tapped for new Africa Command

[The Straight Story]

Military's only black four-star general tapped for new Africa Command
By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press July 10, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, the active Army's only black four-star general, was tapped Tuesday to lead the Pentagon's new Africa Command.

Ward, 58, currently deputy commander of U.S. European Command, will take over a sprawling new command, which will work with African countries to strengthen governments and their militaries and make the nations less vulnerable to terrorist activities.

Initially the command will be run through the existing European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, but is expected to become an independent unit by the end of September 2008.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced in a press release that President Bush had nominated Ward for the new post.

"I am honored by President Bush's and Secretary Gates' confidence and look forward to the confirmation process," Ward said in a written statement. "In the meantime I remain focused on the important work of U.S. European Command."

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37417&dcn=todaysnews

[1932]

1. It's so fucked up that there's a US general in charge of Africa.

Is there a Chinese or Indian or Russian or Iraqi general in charge of North America?