TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – It was a historic day at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa. Change of command ceremonies were held by U.S. Special Operations Command and then U.S. Central Command.
Army General Joseph Votel turned over command to a friend and fellow West Point graduate Raymond “Tony” Thomas.
Special Operations Command leads combat operations around the world.
General Thomas is a seasoned combat veteran who has led operations from Grenada to Iraq and Afghanistan.
At the ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter praised both Votel and Thomas for their work and spoke about the dangerous nature of the mission of SOCOM.
“We know that in places we rarely speak about and operations the world may never know about special operators are executing critical missions, carrying out their orders, protecting their team mates, safeguarding us all,” Carter said.
Just 90 minutes later, Carter was at the change of command ceremony at U.S. Central Command as General Votel then took over from retiring General Lloyd Austin III.
Austin acknowledged he’s led CENTCOM through difficult and changing times but he maintains the war on terror is still having an impact. “The approach we have taken against ISIL is working. We will get it done, ” he said.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON RIGHT NOW:
- Mom orders angelic photos of herself with child she’s accused of murdering
- 14-month-old girl dies following dental visit
- Three arrested in Spice bust at Tampa drive-thru alcohol store
- WATCH: Three women arrested after video captures riverbank beating
- Woman calls 911 after pizza order error
- Cafe owner hires homeless man after hearing his story
- Amazon to hold grand opening for Ruskin fulfillment center
- Oklahoma family finds dead mouse in can of green beans
- >>Back to the homepage for breaking news and the latest headlines
