page_title: Lloyd Austin
hierarchical_section_title: Lloyd Austin
caption_attribution_description: English: New official photo of Lloyd J. Austin, commander USCENTCOM
context_page_description: Lloyd James Austin III is a retired Four-Star General of the United States Army. He was the 12th commander of United States Central Command. Austin was the first black commander to head the organization. Prior to his assignment in CENTCOM, Austin served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from January 31, 2012, to March 8, 2013. His assignments prior to CENTCOM were as the last Commanding General of United States Forces – Iraq, Operation New Dawn, which ended on December 18, 2011, and then Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. On December 6, 2012, the Pentagon announced that President Barack Obama had nominated Austin to lead the U.S. Central Command. Austin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 5, 2013, and assumed command on March 22, 2013. On April 5, 2016, Austin's retirement ceremony took place at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall. He received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and others.
  General Austin currently serves on the board of directors of Tenet Healthcare, United Technologies, and Nucor.
context_section_description: Lloyd James Austin III (born August 8, 1953) is a retired Four-Star General of the United States Army. He was the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM). Austin was the first black commander to head the organization. Prior to his assignment in CENTCOM, Austin served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from January 31, 2012, to March 8, 2013. His assignments prior to CENTCOM were as the last Commanding General of United States Forces – Iraq, Operation New Dawn, which ended on December 18, 2011, and then Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. On December 6, 2012, the Pentagon announced that President Barack Obama had nominated Austin to lead the U.S. Central Command. Austin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 5, 2013, and assumed command on March 22, 2013. On April 5, 2016, Austin's retirement ceremony took place at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall.  He received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and others.
  General Austin currently serves on the board of directors of Tenet Healthcare, United Technologies, and Nucor.
caption: Austin in April 2013, during his tenure as the commander of U.S. Central Command
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