U.S. Central Command Changes Guard

Source: Xinhua

WASHINGTON, March 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Army General Lloyd Austin took over the Central Command (Centcom) from James Mattis on Friday, saying Afghanistan and engagement with partners remain the combatant command's top priorities.

In a ceremony hosted by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Centcom' s headquarters in MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, Austin received the Centcom flag from Mattis, according to a report by American Forces Press Service, the Pentagon's information wing.

In remarks at the ceremony, Austin called Afghanistan his top priority, pledging to do all he can to ensure the success of the mission there. The United States and its allies will transfer full security responsibility of the country to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.

The general also said the United States must remain engaged in the Middle East and Central Asia, Centcom's area of responsibility, noting "we must remain mindful of the fact that success in our various critical endeavors will require the efforts of many -- indeed, all -- of us, working together."

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