Pentagon

VOA News
Carla Babb
February 18, 2016

PENTAGON—The change of command for U.S. Gen. John Campbell, the leading American general in Afghanistan, and his replacement, Lt. Gen. John “Mick” Nicholson, is set for March 2, Campbell’s top spokesman told VOA Thursday.

Speaking during a phone interview from Kabul, Brig. Gen. Wilson Shoffner said the date was based on when they could get Gen. Nicholson to Afghanistan, as well as providing each of them enough time for the transition.

Shoffner said the date was solidified on Wednesday. He would not release when Lt. Gen. Nicholson would arrive in Afghanistan due to security purposes.

Gen. Campbell has said he will retire from the Army after the transition. Officials close to the general said he was offered another four-star general position by the Obama administration, but respectfully declined.

Gen. Campbell assumed command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in August 2014. He led the NATO transition from a combat mission to an advise-and-assist operation at the end of that year.