NORFOLK, Va.--U.S. Air Force Gen. Lance Smith relinquished command of NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) to U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis at a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington(CVN 73) here today.

As Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), Mattis will lead the transformation of NATO's military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines to improve interoperability and military effectiveness of the Alliance and its partner nations.

As commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, he will oversee maximising present and future military capabilities of the United States by leading the transformation of joint forces in the areas of providing joint forces to combatant commanders, joint training, joint interoperability, and joint innovation and experimentation.

Both NATO and U.S. leaders praised Smith and welcomed Mattis during the ceremony on the ship's hangar bay.

"He's been an exceptionally creative leader here," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said. "If General Smith is anything, he's a superb leader. Over the last two years he's focused on striking a difficult balance between providing forces while at war and capabilities to fight in that war and win it, and preparing America and NATO for the challenges of tomorrow."

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England acknowledged Smith for his accomplishments during the past two years as USJFCOM commander.

"You've contributed greatly to the future readiness and success of NATO and America's armed forces by continuing the transformation of the military for the 21st century," England said to Smith during the ceremony.

England presented Smith with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his leadership of USJFCOM since 2005.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisogniero spoke of Smith and his tenure as SACT and presented him with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Meritorious Service Medal.

"General Smith, two years ago you became only the second person to assume the post of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation" Bosigniero said. "You have taken a young NATO strategic command and guided its growth and development. You have given these different elements a common identity and concretely helped to consolidate the transformational focus that is so important for our alliance."

Smith, who will officially retire in January 2008 after 38 years of service and is the only U.S. Air Force general to command both organizations, explained what an honour it was to lead the commands.

"The progress and achievements forged by the incredibly dedicated members of these two commands has been remarkable," Smith said. "We have blended support to American and NATO forces engaged in major combat operations across the globe with preparation for our future security needs, and I believe both commands have struck a good balance between these often competing tasks.

"There should be no doubt," Smith continued, "our job is to meet the needs of our customers--providing the best possible support to the men and women preparing to go in harm's way, whether for combat operations or humanitarian relief."

Smith also offered some words of praise and support for the incoming commander.

"I know of no better choice to lead Joint Forces Command and Allied Command Transformation into the future than General Jim Mattis. As an officer and a leader, he is a proven winner who understands the art and science of warfare, and the complex relationship between the two.

"Jim, there is no shortage of work to be done, but you are gaining two outstanding teams who will take you as high and as far as you want to go. Our time together this week has further convinced me that you are exactly the right man for the job. Congratulations and good luck."

Mattis, most recently served as commanding general of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command.

Mattis discussed his enthusiasm in taking over both organizations.

"We have all inherited our freedoms here today thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of our predecessors, and here today ambassador, secretary, chairman, I pledge to give all I've got to build the strongest coalitions, the most agile forces, and the most ethical defenders of our nations, because we too have an obligation to pass on these freedoms to our children… and our children's children. Thank you. I look forward to working with all of you."

Mattis becomes the first U.S. Marine to command USJFCOM since its renaming in 1999. U.S. Marine Gen. John J. Sheehan commanded the command's predecessor, U.S. Atlantic Command, from 1995-1997.

Mattis, a native of the Pacific Northwest, graduated from Central Washington State College and entered the Marine Corps in 1972.

As a Marine lieutenant, he served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander in the 3rd Marine Division. As a captain, he commanded a rifle company and a weapons company in the 1st Marine Brigade.

As a major, he commanded Recruiting Station Portland. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, one of Task Force Ripper's assault battalions in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As a colonel, he commanded 7th Marines (Reinforced).

Upon promotion to brigadier general, he commanded first the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and then Task Force 58 during Operation Enduring Freedom in southern Afghanistan. As a major general, he commanded the 1st Marine Division during the initial attack and subsequent stability operations in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a lieutenant general, he commanded the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and served as the deputy commandant for combat development and integration.

Mattis' joint and staff assignments include: senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense; executive secretary to the secretary of defense; director, Marine Corps Manpower Plans and Policies Division; head of Enlisted Assignments Branch, Personnel Management Division; executive officer, 7th Marine Regiment; and operations officer, 1st Marine Division.

He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.