Outgoing U.S. Special Operations Command Commander Gen. Joseph Votel has handed over the reins to successor Gen. Raymond Thomas during a change-of-command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, DoD News reported Wednesday.
Lisa Ferdinando writes Thomas will oversee SOCOM’s operations and approximately 70,000 military and civilian personnel as Votel assumes leadership of U.S. Central Command.
“As we transfer leadership of this command between these two professionals, these two consummate warriors and two soldier statesmen, we also celebrate a certain continuity,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said.
SOCOM’s operations span across reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, civil affairs, security force assistance and international humanitarian assistance, Ferdinando writes.
Votel noted that SOCOM will continue to face challenges such as terrorism as well as humanitarian and social incidents around the world.