Marine Corps general nominated to head AFRICOM

President Obama has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser to become the next head of U.S. Africa Command.

If approved by Congress, Waldhauser would succeed Gen. David Rodriguez, who has held the post for the past three years.

"Over the course of his three decades as a Marine, including service in Operation Desert Storm, leading some of our first troops into Afghanistan after Sept. 11th, and his most recent service in the Pentagon as director for joint force development, Lt. Gen. Waldhauser has demonstrated through strong military leadership, excellent political-military experience, and superb management skills, why he is the perfect pick for this dynamic command," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a statement.