The Senate confirmed the nomination of Maj. Gen. Samuel Cox for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general for his next assignment as deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services. He will replace Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, who has held this position on the Air Staff since December 2010. The Senate action came on Nov. 5, according to the legislative chamber’s list of non-civilian confirmations. President Obama nominated Cox for the third star in September. He has been serving as US Transportation Command’s director of operations and plans since June 2012. Jones is retiring from the Air Force, effective Feb. 1, 2014, after 34 years in uniform.
Lockheed Martin plans to enter the Advanced Tactical Trainer fray to supply the Air Force with a new jet to bridge between undergraduate flight instruction and fighter training units, but declined to say whether it will offer a T-50A derivative, a different non-developmental airplane, or a clean-sheet design. It's comments…