Posted on 02/11/2007 9:47:19 AM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — General David H. Petraeus assumed command of Multi-National Force-Iraq from Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., in a change of command ceremony held at Camp Victory Saturday.
Casey was the commanding general of MNF-I for two and a half years. He will go on to replace the current Army chief of staff, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.
The reviewing officer for the ceremony was Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander, U. S. Central Command. He thanked Casey for his work while commanding troops in Iraq.
“Thank you for the long nights of constant work, for your valued opinion, for your steadfast courage and for your unyielding belief in a new Iraq,” Abizaid said. “Thank you for your calm, professional leadership, for your toughness, for your wise counsel both above and below your level of command. Most important, thank you for patient support of a great people in their new destiny. History will smile upon your accomplishments.”
Abizaid welcomed Petraeus to his new command and spoke of his confidence in the new commander.
“He knows this country,” Abizaid said of Petraeus. “He knows its people and he helped build its army. He is no stranger to the difficulties and he is not deterred by the challenges. A courageous and dedicated Soldier, David Petraeus will accomplish the task ahead.”
Petraeus, who was promoted to four-star general in a small ceremony just before the change of command, pledged to Soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines and civilians of MNF-I to provide the best leadership, direction and example he could provide.
“You are each serving your country and the country of Iraq admirably,” Petraeus said. “I thank you for what you have done and the way you have done it.”
Petraeus assignments include the 25th Infantry Division, military assistant to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers - Europe commander; aide to the chief of staff of the Army; commander, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division; executive assistant to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; assistant division commander, 82nd Airborne Division; chief of staff 18th Airborne Corps; commander of the 101st Airborne Division; and commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq.
Petraeus attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning the Gen. George C. Marshall Award as the top graduate of his U.S. Army Command and General Staff College class. He went on to earn his Master of Public Administration degree and a doctorate in international relations from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He later served as an assistant professor of international relations at the U.S. Military Academy.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, the State Department Superior Honor Award and the Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm.
Gee I like this Trooper..wish this Marine could help push him up whatever Hill....
B U M P
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.