Podcasts From USJFCOM: Allied Command Transformation, U.S. Joint Forces Command honor outgoing commander, welcome new leader

Allied Command Transformation, U.S. Joint Forces Command honor outgoing commander, welcome new leader

NATO's Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command honored its outgoing commander, Air Force Gen. Lance Smith, and welcomed the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, Marine Gen. James Mattis, in a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. MCC(SW/AW) Chris Hoffpauir has the story.

• Read Gen. Mattis' remarks | Listen to the podcast | Read the whole story

Narrated by MCC(SW/AW) Chris Hoffpauir
USJFCOM Public Affairs
Featuring (in order of appearance):
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England
NATO Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, Marine Gen. James Mattis
Former Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, Air Force Gen. Lance Smith

Hoffpauir: Air Force Gen. Lance Smith relinquished command of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command to Marine Gen. James Mattis at a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Norfolk, Va., Nov. 9.

Both NATO and U.S. leaders praised Smith and welcomed Mattis during the ceremony on the ship’s hangar bay. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen praised Smith’s leadership ability.

Mullen: He’s been an exceptionally creative leader here. If General Smith is anything, he’s a superb leader. Over the last two years he’s focused on striking a difficult balance between providing forces while at war and capabilities to fight in that war and win it today, and preparing America and NATO for the challenges of tomorrow.

Hoffpauir: Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presented Smith with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his leadership and accomplishments during the past two years as USJFCOM commander.

England: You’ve contributed greatly to the future readiness and success of NATO and America’s armed forces by continuing the transformation of the military for the 21st century.

Hoffpauir: NATO Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero spoke of Smith’s tenure as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and presented him with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Meritorious Service Medal.

Bosigniero: General Smith, two years ago you became only the second person to assume the post of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. You have taken a young NATO strategic command and guided its growth and development. You have given these different elements a common identity and concretely helped to consolidate the transformational focus that is so important for our alliance.

Hoffpauir: Smith, who will officially retire in January 2008 after 38 years of service and is the only Air Force general to command both organizations, explained what an honor it was to lead the commands.

Smith: The progress and achievements forged by the incredibly dedicated members of these two commands has been remarkable. We have blended support to American and NATO forces engaged in major combat operations across the globe with preparation for our future security needs, and I believe both commands have struck a good balance between these often competing tasks.

There should be no doubt, our job is to meet the needs of our customers – providing the best possible support to the men and women preparing to go in harm’s way, whether for combat operations or humanitarian relief.

I know of no better choice to lead Joint Forces Command and Allied Command Transformation into the future than General Jim Mattis. As an officer and a leader, he is a proven winner who understands the art and science of warfare, and the complex relationship between the two.

Jim – there is no shortage of work to be done, but you are gaining two outstanding teams who will take you as high and as far as you want to go. Our time together this week has further convinced me that you are exactly the right man for the job. Congratulations and good luck.

Hoffpauir: Mattis, who most recently served as commanding general of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command, discussed his enthusiasm in taking over both organizations.

Mattis: We have all inherited our freedoms here today thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of our predecessors, and here today Ambassador, Secretary, Chairman, I pledge to give all I’ve got to build the strongest coalitions, the most agile forces, and the most ethical defenders of our nations, because we too have an obligation to pass on these freedoms to our children… and our children’s children. Thank you. I look forward to working with all of you.

Hoffpauir: For more information about Gen. Mattis, Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command, visit us on the Web at www.act.nato.int and www.jfcom.mil.

For ACT and USJFCOM, I’m Chief Petty Officer Chris Hoffpauir.