William E. "Kip" Ward is a retired United States Army three-star general who served as the inaugural Commander of United States Africa Command from October 1, 2007 to March 8, 2011. During his long career in public service, he has taught international affairs and relations at West Point, US Military Academy; served as Commander of Stabilization Force, Operation Joint Forge, Sarajevo, Bosnia; was appointed the Secretary of State's Security Coordinator to the Israel - Palestinian Authority; Deputy Commander, Headquarters US European Command, Stuttgart, Germany; and many other progressively responsible assignments. He later retired and served as President and chief operating officer of the logistics, IT, and engineering business, Vectrus.
Ward as a general in November 2009
Image: 10th Mountain Division CSIB
United States Africa Command
The United States Africa Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U.S. military operations, including fighting regional conflicts and maintaining military relations with 53 African nations. Its area of responsibility covers all of Africa except Egypt, which is within the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command. U.S. AFRICOM headquarters operating budget was $276 million in fiscal year 2012.
Special Operations Command Africa: United States Army Element Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and Combat Service Identification Badge
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (far left), vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James E. Cartwright (left), outgoing combatant commander William E. Ward (right) and incoming commander Carter Ham (far right) at the USAFRICOM change of command ceremony on 9 March 2011.
Image: General Kip Ward November 2009
Image: GEN Carter F.Ham 2011