Statement by the Chief of the Defence Staff on the Appointment of General David Petraeus as Commander of ISAF

OTTAWA - General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, issued the following statement today:

General Petraeus is a highly experienced commander and I look forward to his leadership of the 2,800 Canadian Forces men and women serving in Afghanistan.

I have served alongside General Petraeus on operations and he has been an instrumental part of the leadership team overseeing the mission in Afghanistan. He will lead NATO forces with great skill, courage and determination.

He is a soldier's soldier and I have the utmost confidence and respect in him as a commander.

Canadian Forces operations have continued and will continue without issue throughout this transition period.