French air force Gen. Stéphane Abrial, second from right, accepts the Allied Command Transformation flag during a change of command ceremony aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in port in Norfolk, Va., Sept. 9, 2009. Abrial is relieving U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
(DoD photo by Master Sgt. Chris Steffen, U.S. Air Force/Released)
In an unprecedented move, a French general will take over a key NATO command in Norfolk, Virginia, charged with transforming the Europe-centered Cold War alliance to tackle today’s global challenges. Gen. Stephane Abrial of the French Air Force took over recently from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis as NATO’s commander in charge of military modernization.
The position has traditionally been held by a four-star U.S. general. Abrial’s appointment marks the first time in NATO’s 60-year history that a non-American officer has been appointed to fill the position.
“For NATO this is unprecedented,” alliance spokesman James Appathurai said. “It is a manifestation of the French return to the military structure, and also of France’s importance to NATO’s future because the (Norfolk) command will help shape the alliance in the 21st century.” (Source: AP)
(JOEL SAGET, AFP/Getty Images / September 9, 2009)