Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy assumed command of Pacific Air Forces on Tuesday during a ceremony at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. O’Shaughnessy was confirmed and received his fourth star on June 29. He replaced Lt. Gen. Russell Handy who was appointed as interim commander in May after Gen. Lori Robinson moved to US Northern Command. O’Shaughnessy previously served as the commander of 7th Air Forces and deputy commander of US Forces Korea. Lt. Gen. Thomas Bergeson took over command of 7th Air Force during a ceremony on July 8. O’Shaughnessy is a career fighter pilot with more than 3,000 hours primarily in the F-16.
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.