President Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer for promotion to lieutenant general and appointment as the new III MEF commander in Okinawa, officials said Monday.

Zilmer, who returned from Iraq earlier this year after serving as commander of Multi-National Force-West, currently is deputy commander of I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and also commander of I Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

The current III MEF commander, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, has been nominated to become commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Va.

MARFORCOM works with Joint Forces Command to provide Marine forces to joint operations across the globe, including Iraq, Afghanistan and hurricane relief. Weber has served as III MEF commander since August 2005.