On 12/21/2007 3:20:49 PM Gen William "Kip" Ward wrote


Welcome.

As we build U.S. Africa Command, we want to talk to people about what the U.S. military is doing in Africa. Just as importantly, I want everyone on the staff to also listen and learn. So we have launched a new forum called AFRICOM Dialogue as a way for members of the Africa Command staff to describe what we're doing.

In the weeks and months ahead, I have told the staff to focus on a few important points:

1. We are building the team. We have the opportunity, vision, and determination to redefine how the U.S. military cooperates with and complements the efforts of its U.S., international, and non governmental partners in Africa.

2. AFRICOM will add value and do no harm to the collective and substantial on going efforts on the Continent.

3. AFRICOM seeks to build partnerships to enable the work of Africans in providing for their own security. Our intent is to build mutual trust, respect, and Confidence with our partners on the Continent and our international friends.

For me, commanding AFRICOM is an honor and privilege. I realize the U.S. military plays only a very small role in the international, inter generational work taking place on the Continent and its island nations. But we want our work to matter, and we want to do our work well. Years from now we want Africans and Americans to be able to say AFRICOM made a difference — a positive difference.

Thank you for visiting the Africa Command website,
General William Kip Ward
Commander, United States Africa Command


[General Ward's current welcome is also available]

On 12/24/2010 12:24:54 AM Acrylic glasses in Unspecified wrote
It is impressive that the Sierra Leone fishermen are now able to go about their work and secure their livelihood in peace with the help of the American Coast Guard. For years, open[hyphen]sea fishing fleets with modern equipment from foreign countries, Asian ones included, fished off the coast and ignored territorial waters. The local fishermen were unable to compete. Since the territorial waters have been protected by the Coast Guard, the fishermen can now pursue their work in safety.

On 7/20/2010 10:30:50 PM Anonymous in Unspecified wrote
(VOA URL)

I like how immediately after AFRICOM hosts a lecture by someone that actually knows something about Somalia they announce that they are doing the exact opposite of what she recommends. Wake up, America. Your policy makers are idiots and the Generals that carry them out are blind as well. Ward is a politician that repeats platitudes and can't actually pay attention for more than 10 seconds to anything.

On 11/25/2009 11:56:15 AM Steven & Diana Rogge in New Mexico wrote
To the Men and Women of the United States Africa Command:

Thank you doesn't seem like saying enough to all of you wonderful men and women of the United States Army, or as my family and I like to say "Our" Army. I'm sure you're wondering what motivated us to contact you, so please let me explain. Over the past few months here in our hometown we noticed that there had been a change in people's attitude toward Military Service. We didn't see the Yellow Ribbons and American Flags like we used to and it seemed that the idea of another Terrorist Attack was farther and farther from people's minds. Everyone forgot that we truly do live in a dangerous world and there are indeed certain groups of people who wish us harm for simply being American. To us, this is a far cry from a few short years ago when everyone knew the quality of those that serve our country and were deeply committed to supporting their efforts.

Sadly this all changed with the Terrorist Attack on Fort Hood. I say sadly because until then many of our fellow citizens had turned a blind eye toward the Military, and it took something of this magnitude to bring it all back into focus, at least for a little while. I guess it is easy for some to forget that there are American men and women who are bearing hardships that are unimaginable for the ordinary person, and just enjoy the safety they provide in blissful ignorance. Before that Friday there were only vague stories about the sacrifices and well being of individual Soldiers; now every News Network and Paper has an opinion about the Stress Levels of every Soldier. It is funny now that we are constantly reminded we cannot discriminate against an entire religious group for the actions of a few, however, that is what is happening to you the American Soldier. The actions of one individual are not seen and reported for what they are and instead the Mental Stability of all Soldiers is being called into question so as not to offend anyone.

When I think of this I have to admit that I as an American am profoundly ashamed. Not for my actions but for the actions of the vocal few who have taken this tragedy as an opportunity to further an agenda at the expense of the best and the bravest of this country. I think of myself as a simple man who is neither well traveled or versed in the ways of the world, however, I do know that even though the majority of Americans know the truth, this behavior is detrimental to the Morale of Soldier and Citizen alike. A Soldier knows better that anyone the costly price of Freedom and he or she carries this knowledge quietly so that we, the ordinary Citizens of our great land, do not have to. I find it disturbing that there is a belief now that the Military and Violence go hand in hand when in reality there is nothing further from the truth. A Soldier never prays for War but spends many a private moment praying for Peace.

At a time when we, the ordinary Citizens, are consumed with Carbon Emissions and Universal Health Care, we do find it all too easy to forget those that truly make a difference in the lives of people around the world, the United States Armed Forces. Again, the vocal few ignore the amazing accomplishments of our Military over the past 8 years and focus on issues that sound really good but in the long run don't accomplish very much. I won't pretend to understand the nuances of International Diplomacy or Domestic Policy, however, I do know that there are tens of thousands of people in war torn areas who greet even a rumor of the arrival of the United States Military with gratitude and relief. They do this because they know that with these Men and Women comes a chance for peace, security, and the hope for a better tomorrow. I am not sure why we don't see more of these facts on the Evening News.

Our family simply believes that the efforts of the United States Army are just, and they are having an impact far beyond the security of our beloved country. I hope with all of this you will understand why I had to do something to let you know that you are appreciated, and why that I could not go further without saying I'm sorry. I apologize as a Citizen of the United States for the way we as a people have treated you, the Hero's. I truly wish that I could have come up with something that would have been an inspiration to you but all I can offer is the voice of one American family to simply say "Thank You".

Sincerely and Respectfully

Steven & Diana Rogge

On 10/2/2009 10:13:03 AM Anonymous in Unspecified wrote
You have just got to be post this Not only is it informational, it also aligns with AFRICOM's goals and hopes for Africa. This video is from your partners at State.

Remarks at the Corporate Council on Africa's Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa Business Summit

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington [con]vention Center
Washington, DC
October 1, 2009

State Department Video

State Department transcript

On 9/27/2009 4:35:08 PM caleb in uganda wrote
am a ugandan by nationality,and i would like to join AFRICOM COMMAND. how possible for me to be enlisted? i need to serve.any help am glad for it. thanks, yours, caleb

On 9/28/2009 7:55:13 AM, AFRICOM Public Affairs added

Caleb,

Thanks for your note. We are not recruiting people for Africa Command. We work with African militaries and security organizationsm, and our staff consisits primarily of U.S. government employees. About half our staff are active-duty members of our armed forces, but a non-U.S. citizen must be a legal resident of the United States to join the armed forces.

Vince Crawley
Africa Command Public Affairs