NATO Approves Nomination of General Christopher G. Cavoli

On 3 May 2022,NATO announced that the North Atlantic Council has approved President Joeseph R. Biden's nomination of US Army General Christopher G. Cavoli as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR),a post first held by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.General Cavoli will also be the Commander of U.S. European Command (EUCOM).He is currently the Commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate,he will succeed US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters and will take up his appointment at a change of command ceremony at Supreme Allied Command Headquarters in Mons,Belgium this summer.* General Cavoli was commissioned as an Infantry Officer from Princeton University's ROTC program in 1987.A veteran of the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan,he assumed command of U.S. Army Europe (USAEUR) as a Lieutenant General in 2018.When Africa was added to the command,General Cavoli was promoted to four star rank in 2020 and continued his service in Europe.* The son of an Italian-American US Army officer,he was born during the Cold War period in Wurzburg,West Germany.He is an Eurasia Foreign Area Officer,having graduated from Yale with an MA in Russian and East European Studies in 1997.He went on to be the Director for Russia on the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate.* General Cavoli was Commander of 1st Battalion,32nd Infantry Regiment of 3rd Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division.1st Battalion deployed to Kunar Province,Afghanistan in 2006.He then commanded 3rd BCT,1st Armored Division and was Deputy Commander,Regional Command West in Herat,Afghanistan.* General Cavoli speaks French,Italian and Russian.His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal;the Legion of Merit (3);the Bronze Star Medal (2);the Joint Meritorious Unit Award;the Kuwait Liberation Medal;and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars.He is married and the father of two children.*

B-1 Bombers Arrive Back in CENTCOM AOR - plus more on MSGT Johnathan Dunbar

The B-1B Lancer bomber has arrived back at Al Udeid Air Base,Qatar,to resume strategic bombing missions after two years during which the B-52H Stratofortress had served in that role.The number of B-1s involved was not disclosed.
Airmen had been training intensely for several months for the CENTCOM precision strike missions at Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota.They are rejoining Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria,and Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan.*
The US Soldier recently killed in action in Northern Syria,Master Sergeant Johnathan J. Dunbar of Austin,Texas,had served three tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan.He was awarded three Bronze Star Medals,which are given for heroic or exceptionally meritorious service in a battle zone.The Bronze Star ranks just above the Purple Heart.*
He was described as being a member of Headquarters,US Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg,North Carolina-a designation which often implies being a member of the elite Delta Force.*
MSGT Dunbar had earned a Ranger Tab,which does not necessarily mean he actually served in the 75th Ranger Regiment.It does mean he graduated from Ranger School,signifying a high degree of expertise in small unit combat tactics.
He also had completed the Special Forces Sniper Course,and was awarded six Army Achievement Medals,as well as four Army Commendation Medals.
Certain US Airmen,Marines and Canadian Forces members have also earned the Ranger Tab.

Honors

Two Navy SEALs have died in combat in Afghanistan.Senior Chief Petty Officer John Marcum of Flushing,Michigan and Petty Officer First Class Jason Freiwald of Utica,Michigan were killed in an engagement with heavily armed militants.CPO Marcum had received four Bronze Stars for heroic or meritorious service in combat,while PO Freiwald had received a Bronze Star and Joint Service Commendation Medal for his previous performance.The SEALs were part of Naval Special Warfare Development Group,Virginia Beach,Virginia.