Rand Nominated to Lead AETC

President Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Robin Rand for a fourth star and for assignment as commander of Air Education and Training Command at JBSA-Randolph, Tex., announced the Pentagon. Rand, a 1979 Air Force Academy graduate, who currently serves as commander of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., would replace Gen. Edward Rice, who has led AETC since November 2010. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Russell Handy for a third star and for assignment as 11th Air Force commander at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. In this position, Handy would also lead US Pacific Command’s Alaska Command and the Alaskan NORAD region. Handy has been Pacific Air Forces’ director of operations, plans, requirements, and programs at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, since January 2012. He would replace Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, who has commanded 11th AF since November 2011. Both nominations require the Senate’s approval.