The President nominated Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski for promotion to the rank of general and to assume command of Air Force Materiel Command, according to an Air Force release. If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace AFMC boss Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, who has served in the position since June 2012. Pawlikowski currently serves as the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at the Pentagon. Wolfenbarger—the Air Force’s first female four-star general—recently announced her intent to retire after a 34-year career, though no date has been announced. The President also nominated Maj. Gen. John Dolan for a third star and for assignment as commander of US Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, Pacific Air Forces at Yokota AB, Japan. Dolan currently serves as chief of staff at US Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii. In addition, Maj. Gen. John Cooper, who currently serves as director of logistics at Headquarters Air Combat Command, has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection at Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon. Maj. Gen. Mark Ediger also was nominated for a third star and for assignment as the Surgeon General of the Air Force. He currently serves as deputy surgeon general. Maj. Gen. Lee Levy was nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker AFB, Okla. Levy currently serves as vice director for logistics on the Joint Staff. (Pentagon release.)
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.