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On 9/14/2009 10:45:32 AM Erika, Frieder and Michael Alber wrote
AFRICOM PAO Note: Following is a guest blog at the invitation of U.S. Africa Command. Erika, Frieder and Michael Alber were German guests at the command's open house on September 9, 2009.
This Thursday we have been invited by General William E. Ward, Commander of the United States Africa Command, to an Open House and Directorate Tour at the HQ at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart. So first of all we would like to take the opportunity to thank General Ward once again for his invitation and providing this outstanding event for us. He as well as every single member of the team for this event have given a wonderful example of great hospitality and friendship. Everything was absolutely well prepared and perfectly organized. Our special thanks go to General Martin, who turned out not only to be a real specialist for logistics, but also a great tour guide for our group.
After a warm welcome by General Ward we have been on a Directorate Tour including eight different presentations in the offices of the various departments. Many of the informations, oral as well as printed, were even given to us in German. This is just one example that showed the determination of the entire staff to bring over the message to us as civilian members of the hosting German nation what is the mission and idea of the US Africa Command. A whole variety of information about this is provided right here on this website. But it was something else and very impressive to receive these detailed informations right from the active members of this Command. It became very obvious to us that these people are not only doing any kind of job in the US military. They are on a mission and this is helping the people in Africa to help themselves. Everyone we met is proud of what he is doing and this is why they are doing it very good. The staff members of the US Africa Command are rightly convinced to be able to make a difference in the lives of the people in Africa. The different African countries, organisations and people are not urged or forced to accept this help. The US Africa Command uses enormous endeavours to introduce and explain their accomplishments and finally works on request by the Africans. As one of the speakers explained, General Ward requests his staff members to mainly keep their mouthes shut, but their eyes and ears wide open to understand the very various kinds of problems and needs in the different parts of the African continent.
This Command is very unique in the US military which is also very well symbolized by its still brandnew badge. It does not show any of the typical American signs of force and power like the American eagle, but the entire African continent including the islands, framed by two palm branches as symbols of peace. As General Ward wrote in his invitation, the US Africa Command is set up to build a unique 21st century organisation to foster long term relationships with African and International partners. After attending this Open House and Directorate Tour we can confirm that he and his staff are on a pretty good way.
General Ward also mentioned in his invitation that this event was planned and organized in the spirit of strengthening the bonds of the partnership between the Americans and the Germans. So finally there is only one thing to say: Mission accomplished!
Thank you all again very much. We are glad to have you here in our region and we are happy that you as our friends feel like home in our country.
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