The Senate approved Gen. Paul Selva to take the helm of US Transportation Command at Scott AFB, Ill., replacing Gen. William Fraser. The latter led the unified combatant command since October 2011 and is retiring, effective July 1, ending a nearly 40-year-long Air Force career. President Obama in February nominated Selva, who has led Air Mobility Command at Scott since November 2012, to lead TRANSCOM. The Senate’s approval came on April 8. Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force boss, will succeed Selva at AMC. The Senate in late March approved McDew’s nomination to receive a fourth star for the assignment. To replace McDew at 18th AF, AMC’s sole numbered air force, Obama has tapped Maj. Gen. Carlton Everhart, according to an April 14 Pentagon release. Everhart, currently 3rd Air Force commander at Ramstein AB, Germany, is slated for promotion to lieutenant general for the new assignment. To fill the leadership post at 3rd AF, Obama nominated Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, states the release. Like Everhart, Roberson would receive a third star. He is currently the Joint Staff’s vice director of operations.
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.