Updated

Defense officials say an Army major general with the U.S. Africa Command has been relieved of his post in connection with alcohol and sexual misconduct charges. He has appealed the dismissal to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Officials say Maj. Gen. Ralph Baker, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, was fired from his command last Thursday by Gen. Carter Ham, head of U.S. Africa Command, after an administrative review. Baker took over the task force, based in Djibouti, last May.

The allegations against Baker involve harassment and inappropriate contact. He has returned to Washington and is temporarily serving as a special assistant to the vice chief of the Army. Officials weren't authorized to talk publicly about the case so spoke on condition of anonymity.