Petraeus sworn in as head of Central Command

The Associated Press

Gen. David Petraeus speaks at the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army in Washington earlier this month. AP

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.— Gen. David Petraeus took the helm at Central Command on Friday, assuming responsibility for U.S. military operations not only in Iraq but also in Afghanistan.

The promotion also puts him at the forefront of U.S. efforts to deal with Pakistan, an ally in the war on terror as well as a country threatened with financial ruin, torn by an insurgency and armed with nuclear weapons.

In bright sunshine along the shores of Tampa Bay, Petraeus took charge of Central Command from Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, who had headed what is arguably the military’s most important warfighting command since March, when Adm. William Fallon retired after barely one year in the post.

“The way ahead will be difficult,” Petraeus said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, presiding at the change-of-command ceremony, praised Petraeus and thanked Dempsey.

Petraeus spent 20 months leading a turnaround in Iraq from what many saw as the brink of all-out civil war to the beginnings of a perilous peace. He also led troops in the initial invasion in 2003 and spent more than a year heading the organization responsible for training Iraqi security forces.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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