The head of Army Training and Doctrine Command has been confirmed by the Senate to take charge of U.S. Africa Command.
Gen. Stephen Townsend, who took over as TRADOC commander just over a year ago, was confirmed Monday in the Senate to take command of AFRICOM, one of six Defense Department geographic combatant commands, according to an April 30 Army news release.
Lt. Gen. Paul Funk II will assume command of TRADOC, the release states. Funk currently serves as the commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, and previously commanded Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve under U.S. Central Command.
A date has not been set for a change-of-command ceremony at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where TRADOC is located.
Townsend arrived at TRADOC in March 2018, following an assignment as commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
While at TRADOC, he oversaw the Army Combined Arms Center, Army Recruiting Command, Army Cadet Command and the Army Center for Initial Military Training. TRADOC also oversees 10 Army centers of excellence that train more than 500,000 soldiers and service members each year, the release states.
As head of AFRICOM, Townsend will be responsible for the Pentagon's military relations with African nations, the African Union and African regional security organizations, according to the release.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
