Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV receives expended shells from a cannon salute during the Change of Command at Fort Leavenworth. The ceremony honored him as the new commander of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth.

The new commander at Fort Leavenworth, fresh off a tour in Iraq, said progress was being made in the war-torn country.

After a ceremony Thursday honoring him as the new commander of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV spoke about his year in Iraq.

“There is not a quick solution to the situation in Iraq, and it’s going to take time. But the questions are, ‘Is it moving forward, and is progress being made, and what is the long-term goal we want to achieve over there?'”

He said since arriving in Iraq in May 2006, he has seen multinational troops and Iraqi forces begin to work together toward reconciliation. He said that because the Iraqi government was new and apprehensive, it was going to take time to get on its feet. But he added there still was a visible difference in the growth and commitment of the country.

Caldwell, a graduate of the fort’s Command and General Staff College, has made his return to take command of Fort Leavenworth and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Combined Arms Center.

Caldwell takes over the position after his predecessor, Gen. David Petraeus, became the senior U.S. commander in Iraq.

During a welcome ceremony, Gen. William S. Wallace, who played host to the event, described Caldwell as deserving and a “great warrior.”

“Once again our great nation calls on him,” Wallace said. “This time to lead the U.S. Combined Arms Center in the most extraordinary and challenging times in our nation’s history. Those of us that know Bill know he’s the right man for the job.”

Wallace said Caldwell’s commitment and energy would lead to great opportunities for the post.

“He’s been on the ground in Iraq, and he understands fully the business of leading and training soldiers in the complexities of today’s battlefields and the demanding challenges ahead,” Wallace said. “Most importantly, Bill Caldwell understands that leading soldiers is a privilege, a sacred trust.”

While serving in Iraq, Caldwell said whenever he wanted to be re-energized he would visit troops and get a sense of their honor and fulfillment of what is being accomplished.

“They are truly dedicated and committed beyond anything you could absolutely imagine,” Caldwell said. “Each and every day they’re out there, they’re lacing up their boots, putting on that body armor, picking up that rifle and moving out on point. They do it in a very educated and selfless manner, asking for nothing but to serve others.”