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President Obama has nominated Army Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Votel for a third star and as commander of Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

Votel currently is serving as chief of staff, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

JSOC runs the military’s secretive counterterrorist and manhunt forces. Votel previously was JSOC’s deputy commanding general.

The general, whose Afghanistan experience includes being deputy commanding general for operations of Combined Joint Task Force-82 operating along the Pakistan border, is currently chief of staff of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base at Tampa, Fla., where he is in charge of services’ special operations forces.

Votel recently was tapped to investigate the death of British aid worker Linda Norgrove, who lost her life during an attempted rescue mission by U.S. forces.

Votel would replace Navy Vice Adm. William H. McRaven, who took command of JSOC on June 13, 2008, replacing Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

The three-star admiral’s next assignment has not been announced, according to a report in the Fayetteville Observer.

From staff reports

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