President Georgi Purvanov, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, has
decreed the appointment of Major General Stefan Vassilev as Chief of the Land Forces. Maj. Gen. Vassilev, who was chief of the Land Forces Staff between February 2008 and June 2009, succeeds Lieutenant General Ivan Dobrev, who has been released from military service by reason of attainment of retirement age.

Major General Plamen Stoudenkov was released as Director of the Defence Information Service and from military service.

Brigadier General Neiko Nenov will be First Deputy Chief of the Land Forces, replacing Major General Dimiter Dimitrov.

Another decree released Rear Admiral Simeon Tsekov as Deputy Commander of the Joint Operational Command and from military service.

Separate decrees released Brigadier General Stefan Petrov as Commander of the 24th Helicopter Air Base in Kroumovo and appointed Colonel Zlatko Zlatev to this post.

The decrees, effective September 1, 2009, were promulgated in Tuesday's issue of the "Official Gazette"