Gen. Paul Selva assumed the leadership reins of US Transportation Command, while Gen. Darren McDew took charge of Air Mobility Command during ceremonies at Scott AFB, Ill., on Monday. Selva succeeded Gen. William Fraser, who led TRANSCOM since October 2011, while McDew replaced Selva at AMC’s helm. Selva commanded AMC since November 2012. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel presided over the TRANSCOM command change, while Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh led the AMC change-of-command ceremony. “It’s no exaggeration to say that our military could not do its job without TRANSCOM’s capabilities on the ground, at sea, and in the air,” Hagel told the audience on May 5. “It is now General Selva’s responsibility to continue this work,” said Hagel. McDew received a fourth star prior to taking command of AMC. He headed 18th Air Force, AMC’s sole warfighting numbered air force, at Scott, since August 2012. “Today, we give this command to the hands of one of the most capable officers I have ever met,” said Selva of McDew at the AMC command change. Fraser is retiring from the Air Force, effective July 1, ending a career in uniform spanning 40 years. (AFPS report by Cheryl Pellerin) (Scott release)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.