McKinley Confirmed to Lead National Guard

Oct. 3, 2008

The Senate yesterday confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley for appointment to the rank of general to head the National Guard Bureau as its 26th chief. McKinley, who has led the Air Guard since May 2006, becomes the first four-star general in the nearly 372-year history of the National Guard and the first Air Force officer to lead the NGB since 2002, according to a statement issued today by the bureau on McKinley’s confirmation. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recommended McKinley for the top Guard post in July; President Bush nominated him last month. McKinley succeeds Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, who has run the NGB since April 2003. The Senate confirmed Blum yesterday to become the first National Guard deputy commander of US Northern Command.

Related Content

Nearly 70 Percent of Receivers Now Cleared to Get Fuel From KC-46

Dec. 7, 2021
The KC-46A can now pass fuel to almost 70 percent of aircraft that request aerial refueling, Air Mobility Command announced. The newest aircraft on the list include C-130 Special Operations variants, the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the E-3G Sentry AWACS.

House, Senate Panels Unveil Compromise 2022 NDAA

Dec. 7, 2021
Leaders from the Senate and House Armed Services committees unveiled a new 2022 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 7 in a bid to overcome gridlock and hasten the passage of the annual policy bill. The new bill, passed by the House that night, combines elements of a version passed…

Afghanistan, Politics Lead to Decline in Public Trust of Military

Dec. 7, 2021
Americans’ trust and confidence in the U.S. military has declined precipitously in recent months, according to the results of a survey. Experts lay the blame on increasing political polarization and the fallout from this summer’s turbulent withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Austin Warns of Yearlong CR as China Invests Heavily in Military Technology

Dec. 6, 2021
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III outlined Dec. 4 the vital importance of U.S. defense investment keeping pace with that of China before issuing a statement warning that such competition would suffer “irreparable” damage if Congress opts for a yearlong continuing resolution, a real possibility being discussed by lawmakers after…

China’s Impact on the Evolving US Footprint in CENTCOM

Dec. 6, 2021
The recently completed Global Posture Review directed further analysis to determine the right force mix in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, but one thing is certain, the command’s director of operations said Dec 6: The U.S. footprint won’t look like it has in the past. Through its Belt…

Space Force Focuses on Culture in ‘Intimate’ New Orientation Course

Dec. 6, 2021
The Space Force’s orientation course for people transferring into the new service—civilian and military alike—draws from the “welcoming and intimate” formats that the Air Force’s major commands offer in their chiefs’ orientation courses for chief master sergeants. Space Training and Readiness Command held the first Guardian Orientation Course the week…

Reaper Drone Crashes on Runway at Holloman

Dec. 6, 2021
An MQ-9 Reaper drone was taking off from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., when it crashed on the runway at about 7:55 a.m. Dec. 6. No injuries were reported.

With Russia on Multiple Fronts, DOD Team in Ukraine Assesses Air Defense Needs

Dec. 3, 2021
A Defense Department team on the ground in Ukraine has been assessing what the country needs to protect itself from air, naval, electronic, and cyber warfare threats as Russian troops have gathered on multiple fronts, a senior Ukrainian defense official told Air Force Magazine, describing an emphasis on what assistance…