Gates Presides Over U.S. Africa Change of Command Ceremony

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • From left to right, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander, render honors during the singing of the national anthem at the beginning of the change-of-command ceremony at Sindelfingen Stadthalle City Hall in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. Africom is based in nearby Stuttgart, Germany. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses the audience during the U.S. Africa Command change-of-command ceremony between U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander, in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates presents the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. Ward, the first commander of U.S. Africa Command, handed over the reins to Army Gen. Carter F. Ham. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates presents the Defense Distinguished Service Medal certificate to Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, while his wife, Joyce, looks on during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Joyce Ward, wife of U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, applauds her husband during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates presents Joyce Ward, wife of U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, with the Distinguished Public Service Award during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward , outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, addresses the audience during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shares a light moment with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during remarks by U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates passes the colors to U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander of U.S. Africa Command, while U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander, left, looks on during the change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander of U.S. Africa Command, addresses the audience during the command's change-of-command ceremony in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience during the change-of-command ceremony between U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander, in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience during the change-of-command ceremony between U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander, in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Joyce Ward, wife of U.S. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command, applauds during the change-of-command ceremony between her husband and U.S. Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, incoming commander, in Sindelfingen, Germany, March 9, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen