Resolute Support changes command in Afghanistan

U.S. army General John W. Nicholson, Jr. assumed the command of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) in Afghanistan and U.S. forces from his fellow countryman, General John F. Campbell on Wednesday.

"After an 18-month tour that saw historic changes in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Gen. John F. Campbell relinquished command of both Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to U.S. Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, Jr. in a ceremony at Resolute Support Headquarters," said a statement of RS released here.

Campbell, who served three tours in Afghanistan, led coalition forces during a critical time in Afghanistan's history that encompassed numerous political and operational transitions, the statement added.

During Campbell's command, coalition forces were reduced from 35,000 to approximately 13,000, the statement said, adding although troop numbers have been reduced as ISAF transitioned to Resolute Support, the international commitment remains strong with more than 40 nations continuing to provide military and economic support to Afghanistan.

The new commander of RS and U.S. forces in Afghanistan comes to his fourth tour in Afghanistan from his previous posting as commander of NATO's Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nicholson praised the people of Afghanistan as well as the Afghan and Coalition forces by saying, "I believe that all who have fought bravely within the Afghan security forces and the Coalition are heroes." Enditem