Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen (right), International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces-Afghanistan commander, transfers the colors to Army Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, incoming USFOR-A deputy commander-support and U.S. National Support Element Command-Afghanistan commander, during a ceremony July 3 at the New Kabul Compound, Afghanistan. Dahl replaces Army Maj. Gen. William E. Rapp. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Porter)
KABUL, Afghanistan (July 3, 2012) — Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, named Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl the new deputy commanding general for support in a July 3 ceremony at the New Kabul Compound.
Allen, in a speech, called Dahl ”a warrior with the right blend of experience for this job,” adding, “I know you will perform magnificently.”
Allen is both the commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and the commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. Dahl, who replaces outgoing Maj. Gen. William E. Rapp, becomes both the deputy commander-support for USFOR-A and commander of the U.S. National Support Element Command-Afghanistan.
He will oversee logistical needs throughout Afghanistan. Dahl said he has seen “significant progress” in Afghanistan recently, including in its security forces and in overall governance.
He is deploying to Afghanistan again after having served in the nation previously just eight months ago.
“My family asked me why I’m coming back so soon,” he said. “I told them it’s because the most important thing in war is how it ends,” and Afghanistan is now on the cusp of transition.
Rapp, who said it was his “greatest honor” to serve in the post Dahl is taking over, next will lead the Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison in Washington, D.C., becoming the Army’s top representative to the U.S. Congress.
“It was a privilege to have even a small part in this effort,” he said.