WASHINGTON — Charles Hooper, a longtime U.S. Army international affairs officer, has been promoted to rank of lieutenant general and named director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

Hooper was awarded his third star Monday as part of a batch of general officers promoted via voice vote in the Senate. He replaces Vice Adm. Joseph Rixey, who had lead DSCA since September 2013.

Contacted by Defense News, a spokesman for the Pentagon confirmed Hooper’s appointment and said he is expected to be in office come Monday. 

DSCA is the Pentagon’s point office on foreign weapon sales, a key part of how the department builds partner capacity and strengthens relationships.

Hooper was commissioned in 1979 as an infantryman and went on to serve in a variety of political-military roles, including U.S. defense attache to China, as well as a senior country director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia policy at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Other assignments include directing the J5 for U.S. Africa Command.

His most recent job was as chief of the Office of Military Cooperation in the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. 

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About Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.

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