The helm of US European Command changed hands Monday from Marine Corps Gen. James Jones to Army Gen. John Craddock in a ceremony at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. On Thursday, there’ll be a repeat performance when Craddock assumes the mantle of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, in a ceremony in Mons, Belgium. Craddock, who previously served as head of US Southern Command, has spent 13 years in European assignments during his career.
The House of Representatives voted Nov. 12 to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, setting the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guaranteeing troops will be paid in a few days’ time.


