FALLON CONFIRMED TO BE HEAD OF U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 7, confirmed Adm. William Fallon to be head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the
Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fallon, who received a master's degree in international studies from Old Dominion in 1981 and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1999, won confirmation from the full Senate without dissent.

President George W. Bush last month nominated Fallon to replace Army Gen. John Abizaid, who is retiring. Bush made the nomination on the recommendation of Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Fallon was in Norfolk as commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet before becoming commander, Pacific Command in 2005.