Army Lt. Gen. John Nicholson has been tapped to replace Army Gen. John Campbell as the top US general overseeing the mission in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters on Wednesday. Campbell, who has led Operation Resolute Support since July 2014, is expected to retire. Nicholson, who currently serves as the commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command, stationed in Izmir, Turkey, will be nominated for a fourth star. He previously commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
