U.S. Africa Command activated
From left, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Henrietta H. Fore, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development and director of Foreign Assistance; Robert M. Gates, secretary of defense; the flag bearer; Army Gen. William E. Ward, commander of the newly activated U.S. Africa Command; and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark S. Ripka, command sergeant major for AFRICOM, celebrate the activation of the unified command Oct. 1 during a ceremony in the Pentagon conference center. (Department of Defense photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess)