French General Replaces Mattis at NATO Post

Aug. 3, 2009

NATO has appointed French Air Force Gen. Stephane Abrial to serve as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, leading Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Va. The position, since the command’s creation in 2002, has been held by the US flag or general officer who also heads US Joint Forces Command, headquartered in Norfolk. The first was Adm. Edmund Giambastiani Jr., followed by USAF Gen. Lance Smith, and the current SACT is Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis. According to the NATO announcement, the change of command will take place Sept. 9.

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