Mattis named the new head of US Central Command

General James Mattis was named as the new head of US CENTCOM which has overall control of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON DC: General James Mattis was named, on Thursday, as the new head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) which has overall control of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mattis, whose appointment must be confirmed by the Senate, replaces General David Petraeus, who took over direct command of the faltering Afghan conflict after his predecessor was fired for giving a damaging magazine interview.

"The post General Mattis is taking is a critical one at a critical time," US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters, on Thursday.

Mattis, said Gates, is one of the US military's "outstanding combat leaders and strategic thinkers" and he praised the four-star marine general for his insights into modern day warfare, notably "how the armed forces must be shaped and postured for the future."

Mattis, however, has had his own issues of free expression that have gotten him into hot water. In an on camera 2005 interview, the general said: "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. "You go into Afghanistan; you've got guys who slap around women for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway, so it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

Gates said however that appropriate action was taken at the time and that he thought the "subsequent five years have demonstrated that the lesson was learned." He added he was confident Mattis would now be able to "speak publicly about the matters for which he is responsible in an entirely appropriate way."

Mattis has since 2007 headed the US Joint Forces Command, which plays a valuable support role for the US military and also focuses on transforming future capabilities. He previously commanded Marine forces in both theaters of war that he now oversees, according to his official biography.