Admiral Tapped to Head NORTHCOM/NORAD

Dec. 29, 2009

President Obama has nominated Vice Adm. James Winnefeld to receive a fourth star and take command of US Northern Command and NORAD, the organizations responsible for defending the US homeland and protecting US and Canadian airspace. If approved by the Senate, Winnefeld would replace Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, who has led both commands since March 2007. Winnefeld is currently director of strategic plans and policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He would be the second Navy admiral, behind now-retired Adm. Timothy Keating, to lead NORTHCOM and NORAD. As for Renuart’s plans, there is no official word yet, his spokesman Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross told the Daily Report Monday. (Defense Department release)

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