NATO Secretary General welcomes change of command in Afghanistan

Today, General John "Mick” Nicholson assumed command of NATO’s Resolute Support mission from General John F. Campbell.

As commander of the Resolute Support mission, General Nicholson will lead NATO’s effort to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions, and help them further improve their effectiveness and sustainability. Immediately before his appointment, he served with distinction as Commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command. General Nicholson has previously served in multiple roles in Afghanistan, including as Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations for the International Security Assistance Force, and I am confident that his experience and leadership will prove invaluable in guiding our continuing efforts in Afghanistan. I wish him success in his new role, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him.

I thank General Campbell for his exceptional service as the last Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, and the first Commander of the Resolute Support mission. Under his tenure, the Afghan forces stepped up to new challenges, and assumed responsibility for security across the country. General Campbell has made an outstanding contribution towards achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan, for which I am deeply grateful. I wish him every success for the future.

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_128726.htm