The Senate Armed Services Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Gen. John Hyten to lead US Strategic Command. Hyten’s approval was included in a group of 40 military nominations voted on by the committee. Next, Hyten’s nomination will be voted on by the full Senate. If confirmed, Hyten will replace Adm. Cecil Haney, who has held the position since November 2013. Hyten has served as commander of Air Force Space Command since August 2014.
The Air National Guardsman who was arrested last year for sharing hundreds of top secret and classified documents to online chatrooms was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Nov. 12 after pleading guilty to several charges this March.