[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 10 (Monday, March 17, 2008)]
[Page 361]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Resignation of Admiral William J. Fallon as Commander 
of United States Central Command

March 11, 2008

    Admiral William Fallon has served our Nation with great distinction 
for 40 years. He is an outstanding sailor, and he made history as the 
first naval officer to serve as commander of Central Command.

    From the Horn of Africa to the streets of Baghdad to the mountains 
of Afghanistan, the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast 
guardsmen of Central Command are vital to the global war on terror. 
During his tenure at CENTCOM, Admiral Fallon's job has been to help 
ensure that America's military forces are ready to meet the threats of 
an often troubled region of the world, and he deserves considerable 
credit for progress that has been made there, especially in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.

    With service in Vietnam and as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, 
commander of Pacific Command, and many other positions, Admiral Fallon 
has served this country with honor, determination, and commitment. I 
thank his wife, Mary, who knows that military service involves the whole 
family, and I wish them all the best as they begin the next chapter in 
their lives.