Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley assumed the duties of Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command on 3 November 2021. (Credit: marforcom.marines.mil)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley has been confirmed as a general, making history as the first Black four-star Marine general in 246 years. The Marine Corps announced Wednesday that Langley assumed the duties of Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command. Lt. Gen. Langley will also become commander of U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany, and will command all U.S. military forces in Africa. U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend will relinquish command to Langley, who was confirmed by the Senate Monday. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Lt. Gen. Langley graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and commissioned in 1985. He commanded at every level from platoon to regiment – including Battery K, 5thBattalion, 11th Marines in support of Operations WILDFIRE in Western United States; battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan; and both the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command – Southwest in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced in June that President Biden nominated Langley to be appointed general.
Langley To Lead U.S. AFRICOM At Critical Time
Langley will lead U.S. AFRICOM at a very critical time. The security situation in East Africa has been on a downward trajectory following the previous administration’s decision to withdraw the majority of U.S. military personnel from Somalia in December 2020. Since then, U.S. forces have been conducting periodic engagements to train and advise Somali partners, but U.S. and partner efforts to disrupt and degrade al-Shabaab have not achieved the desired success.
U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend will relinquish command of AFRICOM to Lt. Gen. Langley on Aug. 9, 2022. (Credit: AFRICOM.mil)
The situation in West Africa is also increasingly fragile. Over the past 2 years, extremist operations have expanded across the region. Lt. Gen. Langley’s statement during his July 21, 2022 nomination as General and Commander of Africa Command before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services:
“Now the global security environment we are witnessing today is the most challenging I have seen throughout my 37 years. The 53 nations within USAFRICOM area of responsibility are not immune from the systemic effects of ongoing global tensions, and there are many additional transregional struggles unique to the continent. These challenges cannot be solved by military power alone. They require an integration of diplomatic efforts from Department of State, development endeavors from USAID, and comprehensive strategies from other allies and partners operating in Africa. If confirmed, I will work with these stakeholders in pursuit of common goals. The command will continue to address the dual challenges of strategic competition and violent extremism. The People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation continue to expand their access and influence across the continent. The (Russia) Wagner Group, they have ill intentions. Their methods are more a political military, but issuing weapons or selling of weapons, it just brings on fragility, especially across fragile countries. Simultaneously, organizations such as al- Shabaab, ISIS, al Qaeda, and JNIM expand their reach and threaten American citizens and our interests. If confirmed, I will campaign to address these issues and work with fellow combatant commanders to ensure our plans are integrated across the globe.”
-Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley
Langley grew up in a military family. His father, retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Willie C. Langley, served in the Air Force for 25 years.
Lt. Gen. Langley’s formal military education includes U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and College of Naval Command and Staff. He holds multiple advanced degrees including Masters in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
