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ATLANTA, Georgia, 

Jan 30, 2010 — On January 30, 2010, CNN conducted a live interview with General William E. Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, discussing his experiences as the only black four-star general currently serving in the U.S. military.

"I look at it as a chance to demonstrate that you can achieve those things if you set your mind to them, if you apply yourself in productive ways, if you're prepared to accept opportunity that comes your way and then move on," Ward said during the interview.

He was also asked about U.S. Africa Command's role in the Haiti disaster relief efforts. Ward explained that an Africa Partnership Station vessel that was en route to West Africa for military-to-military training events was diverted to Haiti along with several African ship-riders who were on board.

Ward was in Atlanta, Georgia to accept the Trumpet Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of black Americans who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life for all.

The complete CNN transcript is available at http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1001/30/cnr.01.html.

Ward's portion of the transcript is included below:

HOLMES: We're going to turn now to someone who has some of his men and women serving right now to help the people of Haiti. In fact, this is a four-star general who we are delighted to have in studio with us today. This is not just any four-star general. There he is. You see his face.

The name, though, General William Ward, is the only black four- star general currently serving in the military. It is an absolute honor to have you here. You're the head of AFRICOM, the U.S. command in Africa, you're stationed in Stuttgart, Germany.

You're here because you're actually being honored by the trumpet awards. Congratulations on that. In the interest of full disclosure, I ran into him last night at a diner, got excited. I said we got to have you on. It's so great to have you on, certainly in Atlanta.

Like I said, you're the only black four-star general currently serving in the military. Why are you the only one?

GEN. WILLIAM WARD, U.S. ARMY: Well, there aren't many to begin with, and in my case I've been privileged and blessed to serve our nation wearing this clothe, and reward for that service has been my obtaining the rank of four stars.

HOLMES: Is that ever something you thought about when you first entered the military?

WARD: No thought at all. I wanted to come in and do my time as a career officer, initially serving about a four-year term. That continued on because opportunities presented themselves, challenges presented themselves.

I was also able to work with young men and women from all over our nation who just thoroughly impressed me. And I have just been with it now for 38 years.

HOLMES: Seems like I hear that story a lot for all the guys who have been in about 30, 40 years. They just wanted to do a few years.

WARD: Right.

HOLMES: And here they are all these years later. How does that weigh on you in a lot of ways as far as responsibility? Certainly, I mean, your service to the country, but as almost an added -- I don't want to call it a pressure, but still a responsibility. You are the only black four-star general. A lot of people will look up to you in a lot of ways, a lot of those young soldiers, young black soldiers coming up.

WARD: I look at it as a chance to demonstrate that you can achieve those things if you set your mind to them, if you apply yourself in productive ways, if you're prepared to accept opportunity that come your way and then move on.

And also being able to be part of a team, a team that works together to help assure the success of all its team members has been something that I see as something that can be applied to any profession.

And in the military it certainly is no more evident than as we work with our young men and women who are teammates to help them be as proficient as they can be. For me, I'm privileged and happy and honored to be doing this for 38 and a half years.

HOLMES: Last couple things here. You're going to be honored tonight, but on another front, some of your men and women are serving in Haiti. That wasn't the original plan.

WARD: My command is responsible for providing security assistance, helping African nations increase their capacity to provide for their own security.

In this instance, one of our vessels who was in route to training assistance on the west coast of Africa was diverted to Haiti to participate in the earthquake relief operation, and they're doing so now, along with a dozen or so ship riders from those African nations.

They were asked if they wanted to participate and they said yes, and so they are also there participating in the Haiti relief operation.

HOLMES: And before I let you go, you're the only one now. How many more are coming up behind you? We're going to see more and more?

WARD: I sure hope so. There are many out there doing great work. The pipeline is important, so young men and women are being prepared. The opportunities are there, we just want to make sure the numbers are there also so that they can demonstrate their talents.

HOLMES: General Ward, it is an absolute honor to have you here again. You're here to be honored. You're rarely in the states like this, so here to be honored for the Trumpet Award recognizing African- American achievement, getting one of those awards at the ceremony today. Glad we could get you in the studio. Thanks so much.

WARD: Appreciate it, T.J.

HOLMES: Hope we can stay in touch with you. WARD: Absolutely. Thank you very much. Good to be here. Thank you very much.