President Bush has nominated three Air Force general officers for new positions. If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz would receive a fourth star and take charge of Air Education and Training Command, replacing Gen. William Looney. Maj. Gen. Allen Peck is up for a third star and to lead Air University, replacing Lorenz. Also up for a third star is Maj. Gen. John Sheridan, who would head Space and Missile Systems Center, replacing Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, who plans to retire this summer.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.