Apr. 23 - At a Pentagon news conference, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced President Bush would nominate Gen. David Petraeus to head the U.S. Central Command.

As leader of Central Command, Petreaus would oversee U.S. military operations in the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, Petraeus is the top U.S. commander in Iraq. If approved, Gates said Petraeus would most likely leave Iraq late summer or early fall. Gates also announced the nomination of Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno to replace Petraeus in Iraq. Gates urged the U.S. Senate to approve the nominations by Memorial Day.