WASHINGTON, DC -- Gen. Frank McKenzie Thursday (March 28) took over the leadership of US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in countries including Syria and Afghanistan.
At a ceremony led by Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan, McKenzie pledged to continue the work done by his predecessor, Gen. Joseph Votel, who is retiring.
While "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) has lost its so-called "caliphate" and peace talks with the Taliban appear to be progressing, the US military presence in Syria and Afghanistan is still necessary, said Votel.
McKenzie, 62, is familiar with Afghanistan after being twice deployed there. He has also served in Iraq.
