Mullen, Cartwright nominated for 2nd terms - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Mullen, Cartwright nominated for 2nd terms

Navy Adm. Michael Mullen and Marine Gen. James Cartwright have been nominated for second terms as the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.

In addition, Gates announced that he has nominated Adm. James Stavridis, commander of Southern Command, to lead European Command; Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, deputy commander of Pacific Command, to lead Southern Command; and Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to lead Pacific Command.

If confirmed, Stavridis will be the first Navy officer to lead European Command, and Fraser the first Air Force general to head Southern Command, Gates said.

Stavridis assumed command of Southern Command in October 2006. A 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Stavridis commanded the destroyer Barry from 1993 to 1995, completing deployments to Haiti, Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. He commanded Destroyer Squadron 21 in 1998 and from 2002 to 2004 commanded Enterprise Carrier Striker Group, conducting combat operations in support of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom. If confirmed, he will replace Gen. Bantz Craddock at European Command.

Fraser, a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, has completed operational assignments in Europe, the Pacific, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command. He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours.

Willard, a 1973 graduate of the Naval Academy, is a F-14 aviator who has served in a variety of fighter squadrons and aircraft carriers. He has commanded the amphibious flagship Tripoli and the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln. He became the 34th vice chief of naval operations in March 2005 and assumed command of Pacific Fleet in May 2007. If confirmed, he will replace Adm. Timothy Keating.