The Senate has approved the nomination of Gen. Robert Kehler for his new assignment as commander of US Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. Kehler has led Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo., since October 2007. He was STRATCOM’s deputy commander from May 2005 to October 2007. President Obama nominated Kehler to lead STRATCOM in September. Kehler went before the Senate Armed Services Committee last month for his nomination hearing. He will replace Gen. Kevin Chilton, who has commanded STRATCOM for more than three years. Chilton is retiring, effective Feb. 1, 2011.
One Airman was killed and three others injured in a vehicle mishap at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., on June 29. Additionally, two first responder Airmen sustained injuries responding to the incident. All five injured Airmen have been transported to nearby medical facilities, according to a release from the base.