When Maj. Gen. Michael D. Barbero steps down as commander of the U.S. Army Infantry Center and Fort Benning, he’ll be stepping up to one of the top jobs in the Middle East. And he’ll be wearing a third star.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Friday that President Barack Obama has nominated Barbero to be elevated to the rank of lieutenant general. The president also nominated Barbero for assignment as commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and commander of the NATO Training Mission-Iraq, United States Central Command.
The Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq is responsible for training and equipping Iraqi forces so that they can maintain peace and security without outside help. Its mission is vital to eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
Barbero will relinquish command of Fort Benning to Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter during a change of command ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday on the parade field at Patriot Park.
Several retired military leaders in Columbus told the Ledger-Enquirer in May they thought Barbero was in line for a promotion.
“I know that he is very highly regarded for his performance in the past, and that’s a good indication for his performance in the future,” retired Col. Ralph Puckett said May 13.
Barbero was not available to comment on the announcement Friday.
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