Dempsey to become Central Command chief

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Source: AP

Dempsey to become Central Command chief

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 18 minutes ago

One of the Army's most Iraq-savvy generals is taking charge, at least temporarily, of arguably the most important command in the U.S. military, with responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a ceremony Friday at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey is to assume command of U.S. Central Command from Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, who announced unexpectedly on March 11 that he was quitting. Fallon cited press reports that he was at odds with President Bush over Iran policy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has denied that Fallon was out of step on Iran, and Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

Dempsey, whose field experience in the early stages of his 34-year Army career was largely in Europe, has been deputy commander at Central Command since August 2007. He will serve as the acting commander until Bush chooses a permanent replacement and gets that person confirmed by the Senate.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/centcom_chief;_ylt=AqdO2Zlw0ng_ifkHVIGaG1us0NUE

[SpiralHawk]

1. "But remember, I'm the DECIDER." - Commander AWOL

"You take your marching orders from me & my republicon cabal of chickenhawks, Demptster Boy, and don't forget it. Smirk."

- Commander AWOL

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2. Dempsey's social network:

http://press.jrc.it/NewsExplorer/entities/en/1909.html