President Barack Obama has tapped Lt. Gen. John W. Mick Nicholson Jr. to lead America's military mission in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday, Pajhwok reports.
Peter Cook, addressing a news conference in Washington, hailed Nicholson as an accomplished soldier with extensive command experience in Afghanistan and around the world.
The spokesman said Defense Secretary Ash Carter was "absolutely confident" in the man Obama intended to nominate to succeed Gen. John Campbell. The nomination and Nicholson's promotion to four-star rank require Senate confirmation.
Cook added the secretary believed Nicholson would build upon Campbell's hard work to secure a bright future for the Afghan people, and help Kabul strengthen a professional and capable security partner to the American people.
Campbell was praised for taking the fight to Al-Qaeda and making clear the resolve to deny it safe haven, and for consistently identifying ways to increase the capability and capacity of the Afghan forces.
"While many challenges remain, we have made gains over the past year that will put Afghanistan on a better path, and much of the credit for that progress rests with Gen. Campbell," the press secretary remarked.
Nicholson has led soldiers at all levels, from platoon to division in Airborne, Ranger, mechanised, Stryker and light infantry units in five infantry divisions and the 75th Ranger Regiment.
He commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, re-establishing Global Response Force capabilities, and commands NATO's Allied Land Command in his current assignment.
Cook said: "He knows what it means to lead a responsive and nimble force, and how to build the capacity of our partners to respond to immediate and long-term threats, and remain adaptable to confront evolving challenges."
By S. Mudassir Ali Shah
