The former commander of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division accepted leadership of U.S. Central Command Friday morning.

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III replaces Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis in the role. The command is based out of MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Gen. Austin led Fort Drum from 2003 to 2005, and also has served as the command’s chief of staff and Army vice chief of staff.

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