WASHINGTON (DPA) — US President Barack Obama nominated General John Campbell to be the next commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced late Tuesday.
Currently vice chief of staff in the army, Campbell will replace Joseph Dunford at a time when the United States is negotiating the pace of its withdrawal from Afghanistan.
He will lead US forces in the country, as well as NATO's International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF.
Campbell has served in Afghanistan, having commanded the 101st Airborne Division in the east in 2010 and 2011, The Military Times reported.
In an interview in 2012, Campbell said the Afghan withdrawal would be "very tough – very different from Iraq," the newspaper reported.
Obama also announced Tuesday two other key military appointments.
Lieutenant General Joseph Votel was chosen to lead US Special Operations Command, and Admiral Bill Gortney was named to be commander of US Northern Command.
