Marine General Tapped to Succeed Fraser at SOUTHCOM

Jan. 30, 2012

President Obama nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Kelly for promotion to the rank of general to assume command of US Southern Command. If the Senate approves this nomination, Kelly would replace Gen. Douglas Fraser, who has led SOUTHCOM since June 2009. Kelly has been the senior military advisor to the Defense Secretary since March 2011. Fraser has not yet announced his post-SOUTHCOM plans. Headquartered in Doral, Fla., near Miami, SOUTHCOM oversees US national security interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its engagement with allies and friends in that region includes countering illicit trafficking; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; supporting peacekeeping operations; and training and exercises. (See also AFPS report by Lisa Daniel.)

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