Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)
Aug 5, 2024
Release Number 20240805-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Aug. 8, 2024) – Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), the military coalition to defat Daesh, completed a transfer of authority ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 5, 2024.
During the ceremony, the responsibility of leading this unique organization transferred from U.S. Army Maj Gen. Joel “JB” Vowell to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Leahy.
“This ceremony symbolizes the unbroken chain of command, of ownership of this Coalition’s mission, and responsibility for the men and women who come together from many nations, with one mission,” said U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. “It also represents this Coalition’s enduring commitment to a shared vision of security and stability in Iraq and Syria.”
Gen. Kurilla also praised the phenomenal work the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians of CJTF-OIR have done over the past year, supporting our Iraqi partners in the fight against DAESH, including conducting or enabling more than 350 missions alongside our partners, while coordinating with the many law enforcement agencies, embassies, and civilian institutions working to bring stability to Iraq and Syria.
“None of these things happen on their own. It takes leadership. JB Vowell provided that leadership. JB, thank you for your camaraderie, your professionalism, and, above all, your leadership,” said Gen. Kurilla. “To lead the military operations of the world’s largest coalition in the face of a determined and resourceful enemy, along with many other external headwinds, is no small feat.”
Gen. Kurilla continued, “Through it all, JB led. He led in hard times and in good. He led through dozens of transitions of his subordinate units. He led up, ensuring that his voice and his assessment was heard as he advocated for this Coalition and our Iraqi partners. And he led, as any good infantryman does, from the front. As Colin Powell said, ‘leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible’.”
Recently, the U.S. Senate confirmed Maj. Gen. Vowell for appointment to the grade of Lieutenant General and assignment as the Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. His relief, Maj. Gen. Leahy, most recently commanded Special Operations Command Central, where he oversaw the activities of all special operations forces throughout the Central Region.
“I know Kevin well, and he knows this mission well,” said Gen. Kurilla. “Kevin has worked with our Iraqi partners on many occasions and has spent much of his career deploying to the CENTCOM AOR with 5th Special Forces Group. I can’t think of a better person to take this command.
“We have come a long way since 2014, but we are still facing a determined enemy who seeks to undo the progress of the past decade. This has never been one nation’s fight, and the Coalition remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq.