Odierno to take command at JFCOM Friday

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno will officially assume command of the Norfolk-based Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) during a change-of-command ceremony Friday at the Joint Technology and Experimentation Center (JTEC) building in Suffolk.

He may be the last Commander at JFCOM as the Pentagon has slated the command for closure.

Odierno replaces Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, who took the reins of Florida-based U.S. Central Command in August.

Since Mattis' departure, Army Lieutenant General Keith M. Huber has served as JFCOM's Acting Commander.

Prior to leading JFCOM, Gen. Odierno served as Commander, U.S. Forces Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. Odierno held that post from September, 2008, through September, 2010.

On August 9, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced his intention to close JFCOM as part of his plan to achieve $100 billion in defense savings over the next five years.

JFCOM was created in 1999, evolving from the United States Atlantic Command, which was created after World War II.  It is the Defense Department's proponent for joint training, doctrine and operations in the military.

Nearly 6000 military personnel and civilian contractors are employed at JFCOM.