A Pentagon release Friday stated that President Bush has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Victor Renuart for a fourth star and to lead NORAD and US Northern Command. Defense Secretary Robert Gates had recommended Renuart for the position earlier this month, when he tapped Adm. Timothy Keating, current NORAD/NORTHCOM chief, to head US Pacific Command. Keating’s nomination already has gone to the Senate for confirmation.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.