Lt. General Stanley McChrystal replaced General McKiernan as the U.S. commander in Afghanistan on June 15, 2009.
In May 2009 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates named Lt. General Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of operations in Afghanistan. Gen. David McKiernan, former commander, was asked to resign by Gates, who stressed the need for, "new strategy, mission, and leadership."CNN.com Blogs: Gates replacing top U.S. commander in Afghanistan (May 11, 2009)
The Afghanistan Appointment
On May 11, 2009, a senior Pentagon official said a formal announcement would be made by Defense Secretary Robert Gates regarding the appointment to head the forces in Afghanistan by McChrystal. In Afghanistan, McChrystal will also be the leading NATO commander.First Read (MSNBC): McKiernan out in Afghanistan (May 11, 2009) The appointment was questioned by the parents of slain Army Ranger Pat Tillman, due to their belief that McChrystal covered up the fact that their son died by fratricide.ESPN: Tillman family: General lied (May 12, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Graduated from West Point
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In April 2009, Mike Mullen assigned McChrystal to head the international task force in Afghanistan to improve "the effectiveness of the Afghan strategy" according to the Wall Street JournalWSJ.com: U.S. to Appoint Top General to Kabul in Afghan Revamp (May 8, 2009)
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McChrystal led the operation that killed Abu Musab al ZarqawiFirst Read (MSNBC): McKiernan out in Afghanistan (May 11, 2009)
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McChrystal was a top administrator for the Joint Chiefs of Staff
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Former commander for the Joint Special Operations Command
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Replaced General David McKiernan as the top general in Afghanistan
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McKiernan, appointed by President Bush was in charge for about a year
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President Barack Obama will send at least 20,000 troops to Afghanistan
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Was appointed as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan in May 2009
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Took command of Afghanistan on June 15, 2009
