President Obama has nominated Vice Adm. James Winnefeld to receive a fourth star and take command of US Northern Command and NORAD, the organizations responsible for defending the US homeland and protecting US and Canadian airspace. If approved by the Senate, Winnefeld would replace Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, who has led both commands since March 2007. Winnefeld is currently director of strategic plans and policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff. He would be the second Navy admiral, behind now-retired Adm. Timothy Keating, to lead NORTHCOM and NORAD. As for Renuart’s plans, there is no official word yet, his spokesman Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gary Ross told the Daily Report Monday. (Defense Department release)
The Pentagon plans to use U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s to deport 5,400 people currently detained by Customs and Border Protection, officials announced Jan. 22, the first act in President Donald Trump’s sweeping promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants and increase border security.