On August 1, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, USMC, to command AFRICOM. With this command comes Langley’s fourth star, making him the first Black four-star general in the 246-year history of the Marine Corps. Following the appointment, the Marine Corps announced that Langley will be formally promoted “in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Saturday.”
Langley is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and commissioned as an artillery officer in 1985. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Langley has commanded Marines at every level from platoon to regiment. As a General Officer, he has served as Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.
Langley’s is a graduate of both the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and College of Naval Command and Staff. He also holds Master’s Degrees in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
On November 3, 2021, Langley assumed the duties of Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command. President Joe Biden nominated Langley to command AFRICOM in June 2022. Langley will relieve the incumbent commander, Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend. As the commander of AFRICOM, Langley will command all U.S. forces in Africa and report directly to the Secretary of Defense.