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Green Beret takes command of Army special ops

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland took command Friday of the Army’s Special Operations Command, gaining a global role after running special operations for the military’s largest branch in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Mulholland replaced the retiring Lt. Gen. Robert W. Wagner during a ceremony at Fort Bragg that attracted about 1,000 people. The command oversees about 22,000 soldiers in the Army’s Special Forces, Rangers, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Special Operations Aviation units. They make up more than half of all special operations troops in the U.S. military.

“This is, unapologetically, the most capable and effective combat force on the planet,” Adm. Eric Olson, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, said as he formally handed Mulholland the command during the transfer of colors ceremony.

Mulholland had been commander of Special Operations Command Central, which oversees special operations forces in the Middle East.

“He is the right man at the right time to lead,” Olson told the crowd, which included former presidential candidate Ross Perot, a longtime special forces supporter.

Mulholland said he would work hard to live up to the high standards set by Wagner, the most senior general in the Army and a former Ranger who took command of the Army’s special forces in 2005.

Olson said Army special operations units have been some of the most successful in Iraq and Afghanistan, running thousands of operations that range from tracking terrorists to rebuilding schools. Under Wagner’s command, the units flourished as he guided its massive 36 percent expansion, Olson said.

“A lot has been accomplished, and Lt. Gen. Wagner has been an important contributor,” Olson said.

Mulholland, who grew up in Maryland, commanded the U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg from 2005 to 2006, and the 5th Special Forces Group, which is based at Fort Campbell, Ky., from 2001 to 2003. While at 5th Group, he was in charge of special operations forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also has been deputy commander of the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.

Mulholland graduated from Furman University in 1978 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in September 1983 and was an A-team commander in the 5th Special Forces Group, a battalion executive officer in the 7th Special Forces Group and a battalion commander in the 10th Special Forces Group on Okinawa, Japan.

Wagner is the longest serving commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command in history. He assumed command of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in 2005.

Wagner has served in airborne infantry, Ranger, and special operations units. He is a veteran of combat operations in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division and in Panama with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Through its seven major subordinate commands and units, the Army Special Operations Command also trains and maintains special operations forces for deployment worldwide.