President Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Craig McKinley for a third star and to serve as director of the Air National Guard. McKinley, who is currently assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs on the Air Staff, is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in fighters and transports. He has served in numerous operations and command ANG billets, including commanding 1st Air Force, covering NORAD’s continental US air defense region.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.