Military News, News From Iraq & Afghanistan - Military Times

Full Senate approves McChrystal nomination

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nominations of Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal to be the next commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan and Navy Adm. James Stavridis to be commander of U.S. forces in Europe and the top NATO commander.

McChrystal replaces Gen. David McKiernan, who was forced out by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. McChrystal, who also was promoted to four-star rank, is expected to arrive in Kabul within days.

McKiernan is expected to retire.

The switch of U.S. military leaders in Afghanistan comes less than three months after President Barack Obama announced a new strategy for the war, which has been largely stalemated. Obama also replaced the U.S. ambassador in Kabul, installing retired Army three-star general Karl Eikenberry, a former top commander there.

McChrystal, who commanded U.S. Joint Special Operations Command for several years, has been serving as director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon under Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Stavridis would replace Army Gen. John Craddock, who is retiring. Stavridis would be the first Navy admiral to hold the posts of commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Fraser to replace Stavridis as commander of U.S. Southern Command and his promotion to four-star rank.

The nominations were approved as a group by unanimous consent of the Senate.