Wednesday, May 13, 2009

U.S. Admiral James G. Stavridis Appointed NATO Supreme Commander


The NATO military alliance announced Tuesday that it has appointed U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis as its top military commander.

Adm. Stavridis, who was a senior adviser to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, is currently the chief of US Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America.

With the confirmation of his appointment on Tuesday, Adm Stavridis becomes the first naval officer to hold the top NATO military post.

He replaces U.S. General John Craddock as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and like his predecessor, Adm Stavridis will now also serve as commander of U.S. forces in Europe.

The NATO Defense Planning Committee's announcement appointing Adm Stavridis as the alliance's supreme commander comes after President Barack Obama approved his nomination in March to become NATO chief and head of U.S. European Command.

No comments: