Senate Confirms Petraeus, Odierno- By Jim Garamone

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2008 – The Senate has confirmed Army Gen. David H. Petraeus as commander of U.S. Central Command and Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to receive his fourth star and succeed Petraeus as commander of Multinational Force Iraq. The full Senate confirmed Petraeus by a vote of 95-2 and Odierno by a 96-1 margin. Odierno is the Army’s 3rd Corps commander and served as commander of Multinational Corps Iraq for 14 months. The changes put Petraeus -- who implemented the U.S. surge into Iraq -- in charge of U.S. military forces in a dangerous part of the world. The command stretches from Pakistan to Egypt and from Kazakhstan to the Saudi Arabian peninsula. It includes the war in Afghanistan and, until Oct. 1, also includes control of Joint Task Force Horn of Africa based in Djibouti. Petraeus will take over CentCom after giving his assessment on the post-surge conditions in Iraq. The last surge brigade will leave Iraq at the end of this month. Petraeus called for -- and Defense Department leaders agreed to -- a pause before bringing the U.S. force in Iraq down any further. The decision on further withdrawals probably will not come until mid-September, and Petraeus will not leave the Iraq command until that is complete, officials said. In another general officer announcement today, the White House has officially nominated Gen. Norton A. Schwartz to be Air Force chief of staff and Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb to succeed Schwartz as commander of U.S. Transportation Command, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Senate officials could not say when the confirmation hearings for the men would be.
Biographies:

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus

Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates speaks with reporters at the Pentagon.

MG Michael Oates Iraq Briefing - 10 July 2008
MG Michael Oates, Commander of Multi-National Division-Center, and 10th Mountain Division, speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an operational update.



Freedom Watch Afghanistan - 11 July 2008 - The latest from Operation Enduring Freedom showing the activities of American troops in country. Produced by AFN-Afghanistan.



Around the Services - July 10, 2008 - A new Middle East threat emerges as Iran fires off a set of missiles. The Pentagon reopens bidding on an Air Force tanker contract. Plus, Army doctors perform a miraculous procedure.