Defense Secretary Robert Gates is recommending that Adm. Timothy Keating take over US Pacific Command and that Air Force Lt. Gen. Victor Renuart replace Keating at NORAD and US Northern Command. Keating would replace Adm. William Fallon who is under consideration for US Central Command. Renuart, who currently serves as senior military assistant to Gates, would be promoted to four stars if confirmed by the Senate for the new position.
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…