President Obama has nominated Adm. Cecil D. Haney to succeed Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler as commander of US Strategic Command. Kehler has led STRATCOM—one of the Defense Department’s nine unified commands—since January 2011. Haney, a 1978 Naval Academy graduate, served as STRATCOM’s deputy commander before assuming his current position as commander of US Pacific Fleet. The President also has nominated Vice Adm. Harry Harris Jr. for his fourth star and to succeed Haney as US Pacific Fleet commander. Harris currently serves as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (AFPS report)
Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up
Feb. 6, 2026
The U.S. Air Force Academy is getting a leadership refresh after a tumultuous year, with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks both set to retire this year and Col. James Valpiani set to come on as the new Dean of the Faculty.

