Obama Formally Nominates Allen for Afghanistan Post

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2011 – President Barack Obama has formally nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen to receive a fourth star and serve as the next commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced today.

Obama also nominated Army Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of 1st Corps, Fort Lewis and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., to also serve as deputy ISAF and U.S. Forces Afghanistan commander and as commander of ISAF Joint Command, Gates announced.

The president announced at the White House April 28 that he intended to name Allen the first Marine to command all U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan. Allen served as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command until June 2, when he became special assistant to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

If the Senate confirms his nomination, Allen would replace the retiring Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, whom Obama has nominated to become the next CIA director. Current CIA director Leon E. Panetta is testifying in his confirmation hearing today to become the next defense secretary after Gates retires June 30.