NATO has replaced the commander of its Joint Armed Forces in Europe, the press service of the Alliance reports..

On July 4, US General Tod Walters, who has been in office since May 2019, formally handed over command to his compatriot, General Christopher Cavoli..

The transfer ceremony was held in the Belgian city of Mons. It was attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Cavoli was born in Germany and spent much of his childhood in Italy.. Graduated from Princeton University in 1987 where he studied biology. His thesis was devoted to the study of worms. In the same year, he decided to start a military career and was enlisted in the infantry, since 1988 he served in the Italian city of Vicenza.

Then he was trained in the division of the US Armed Forces, specializing in military-political operations..

After that, he received a master's degree from Yale University, where his program was focused on Russia and Eastern Europe.. In 1999, he was appointed head of operations for the 10th US Mountain Infantry Division..

At various times, he held various high-ranking command positions, including heading the strategic policy department and planning the Joint Staff in the Russian direction.

Cavoli speaks four languages: English, French, Italian and Russian. Married, father of two sons.

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