TAMPA, Fla. — Army Gen. Joseph Votel has taken the helm of U.S. Special Operations Command located at MacDill Air Force Base.
The 56-year-old general assumed command during a ceremony at the Tampa Convention Center on Thursday.
He replaces Navy Admiral William McRaven, who is retiring.
Votel’s last assignment was commander of the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.
At Fort Bragg, Votel had a direct role in planning Special Operations Forces missions, like clandestine raids to kill and capture enemy leaders.
Votel will now be in charge of organizing, training, equipping and deploying special operators such as Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant Crew members, Army Green Berets and Rangers, Air Force Air Commandos and Marine Corps Raiders.
SEE ALSO: Special Operations Command signs $187 million contract for Carl Gustav recoilless rifles
Please read our comment policy before commenting.