ARLINGTON, Va. — Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker has selected Brig. Gen. David M. Rodriguez to be the first leader of a brand-new position: commander, Multi-National Division Northwest — Iraq.

Army Gen. George Casey, who has the top job commanding the overall Multinational Forces — Iraq, recently created the two-star billet. Rodriguez, who is now in line for a second star, will take his post around April 1, an Army official told Stripes on Tuesday.

Rodriguez is currently the Joint Staff’s Deputy Director for Regional Operations. He became a familiar face to military watchers after participating in several Pentagon briefings about Iraq in 2004.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Carter Ham, who as deputy commanding general for training and readiness at I Corps and Fort Lewis, Wash., is also the commander of the Multi-National Brigade North in Iraq, will come to Washington to take Rodriguez’ Joint Staff job, Army officials said.

Migrated