Marine Gen. Michael Langley has taken over as head of U.S. Africa Command, leading all U.S. military operations on a continent teeming with unstable governments, corrupt militaries and dangerous insurgent groups.
Prior to taking on his new responsibilities on Tuesday in a ceremony at an Army base in Stuttgart, Germany, Gen. Langley became the first African-American in the Marine Corps to be promoted to four-star general.
He is the sixth commander since U.S. Africa Command was established in 2008.
“I look forward to taking on the mantle of leading these talented professionals here at AFRICOM and across our components as we work shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies and partners to advance peace and prosperity for both Africa and the American homeland,” Gen.