Gen. Austin Scott Miller on Sunday assumed command of Resolute Support mission, replacing his compatriot Gen. John Nicholson.
Nicholson, who headed the NATO mission for more than two years, has been the longest-serving US general in Afghanistan, where militant-linked violence has spiked in recent months.
At a change-of-command ceremony at the Resolute Support mission headquarters in Kabul, Miller said: “To be successful, we must continually learn and adapt to the enemy and the environment.”
Senior officials including Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak, National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, UNAMA head Tadamichi Yamamoto and several ambassadors attended the event.
United States Central Command chief Gen Joseph Votel and former Afghan national security adviser Hanif Atmar were also in attendance.
In his speech, Gen. Nicholson asked the militants to heed growing calls for peace from the Afghan people. “It is time for this war in Afghanistan to end,” he remarked.
The US-led coalition was in Afghanistan to support the Afghans, the outgoing commander said, adding politics should not be allowed to weaken efforts for peace and reconciliation.
Speaking on the occasion, NSA Mohib paid tribute to the courageous Afghan and NATO soldiers for laying down their lives to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.
The Afghan government stood shoulder to shoulder with the US and NATO in the fight against the enemies of freedom. “Together we will eliminate the menace of terrorism from Afghanistan and the region.”
The NSA commended Nicholson’s role in helping the Afghan forces mature into a professional force. “I want to assure you that we will continue to build upon your great work.”
