WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday approved Army Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr. to take over as commanding general, Eighth U.S. Army/chief of staff, U.N. Command/Combined Forces Command/U.N. Forces Korea.

Fil, formerly one of the top U.S. military leaders in Iraq, will replace Army Lt. Gen. David Valcourt.

This month he stepped down as commander of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, and last year served as head of Multi-National Division — Baghdad.

His first Army assignment was in Germany, as a second lieutenant in 1977 with 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army.

The Seoul-based job will be his first post in the Pacific Rim.

Fil has completed three assignments in the Middle East, including two tours in Iraq.

He also served as logistics officer for the 1st Armored Division’s 3rd Brigade during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990.