Sen. LeMieux Statement on Mattis Nomination

Statement

U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL) today made the following statement in response to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' announcement that he has recommended Marine Gen. James Mattis to be the next commander of Central Command. Mattis would replace Gen. David Petraeus, who recently became commander of the U.S. Forces Afghanistan.

"General Mattis is well qualified for this command and CENTCOM will be well served by his leadership," LeMieux said. "Mattis has had a distinguished career as a marine officer and has been widely praised for his role as joint forces commander. He will work well with General Petraeus and is a wise choice to succeed him as CENTCOM commander. I look forward to welcoming him to Tampa."

Gen. Mattis previously served as Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) and Commander, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation from November 9, 2007 to September 8, 2009. Prior to that, he served as Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command.

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