Army Lt. Gen. John Nicholson has been tapped to replace Army Gen. John Campbell as the top US general overseeing the mission in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters on Wednesday. Campbell, who has led Operation Resolute Support since July 2014, is expected to retire. Nicholson, who currently serves as the commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command, stationed in Izmir, Turkey, will be nominated for a fourth star. He previously commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.
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.