French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros will succeed French Air Force General Stéphane Abrial as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) in a ceremony on 28 September 2012, in Norfolk, Virginia.

The NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation preserves the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states through the transformation of NATO military forces, structures, capabilities and doctrine. This change of command represents the second time in NATO's 60 year history that a non-US officer has been permanently assigned to one of NATO's two Supreme Allied Commands.

General Paloméros is currently the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force.

"We are all absolutely delighted that General Paloméros has been selected as the next Commander of NATO's Allied Command Transformation. We very much look forward to serving him as he leads us in the development of the Alliance's capabilities for the future, the training of our forces for operations, and ensuring that NATO is fully prepared for whatever challenges that the Alliance may face in the future. We also look forward to supporting him in building on the success of our current commander, General Abrial, in continuing the significant progress and momentum that he has generated in leading the transformation of NATO, and our Partner nations, in maintaining the peace and security of the Alliance" said Vice Admiral C A Johnstone-Burt, UK Royal Navy, HQ SACT's Chief of Staff.

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is the only NATO Headquarters in the United States – based in Norfolk, Virginia – and a cornerstone of the transatlantic link.

For more information: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_89456.htm

Click here for the latest biography of General Paloméros.

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