Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh has assigned Maj. Gen. Jerry Harris to be Air Combat Command’s vice commander, announced the Air Force on Thursday. Harris will replace Maj. Gen. James Post, who was removed from the position earlier this month for making comments that came across as if he was attempting to restrict airmen from lawfully communicating with Congress. Post became ACC’s vice commander last September. Harris had been serving as director of strategic plans on the Air Staff.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.