President Obama on Oct. 10 nominated Marine Corps Gen. John Allen to be the next NATO supreme allied commander for Europe and also head US European Command. Allen has led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan since July 2011. If the Senate confirms Allen for the new assignment, he’ll take the leadership reins in Europe in spring 2013, according to the President’s statement. Allen would replace Navy Adm. James Stavridis, who’s led US and NATO forces in Europe since summer 2009. “Under General Allen’s command, we have made important progress towards our core goal of defeating al Qaeda and ensuring they can never return to a sovereign Afghanistan,” said the President. He credited Stavridis with playing “a critical role in helping to make NATO a stronger alliance.” Obama also said he’s tapped Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford to take over for Allen in Afghanistan. Dunford is currently the Marine Corps’ assistant commandant. If he’s confirmed, Dunford “will lead our forces through key milestones in our effort that will allow us to bring the war to a close responsibly as Afghanistan takes full responsibility for its security,” stated Obama. (See also Panetta-Rasmussen-Stavridis transcript and Dempsey statement.)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.