Senate Confirms New Bosses at AMC, AFGSC

July 30, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine

The Senate on July 29 confirmed new bosses for Air Force Global Strike Command and Air Mobility Command along with five other general officer roles in the Air and Space Forces.

Lt. Gen. Anthony J. Cotton will receive his fourth star and replace Gen. Timothy M. Ray as the head of Air Force Global Strike Command. Cotton, a missileer by training, currently serves as Ray’s deputy. He’s commanded the 20th Air Force, the 45th Space Wing, and the 341st Missile Wing. He also served as commander and president of Air University from 2018 to 2019. Ray, who has led the command since August 2018, was ceremoniously retired earlier this month after 36 years in uniform.

Lt. Gen. Mike Minihan also will receive his fourth star to lead Air Mobility Command. He replaces Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, who has been nominated to lead U.S. Transportation Command. Minihan is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in the C-130, KC-10, and C-32.

Other confirmations, include:

  • Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider to serve as the Air Force’s director of staff. Schneider is currently the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force.
  • Maj. Gen. Tom D. Miller to receive his third star and to lead the Air Force Sustainment Center in Air Force Materiel Command. Miller is currently the director of logistics, engineering, and force protection at Air Combat Command.
  • Maj. Gen. James A. Jacobson to receive his third star and to serve as the deputy commander of Pacific Air Forces. Jacobson is currently the director, training and readiness, in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff at Headquarters Air Force.
  • Maj. Gen. Mark E. Weatherington to receive his third star and to replace Cotton as deputy commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. Weatherington is currently the commander of 8th Air Force.
  • Space Force Maj. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein will receive his third star and become the first commander of Space Systems Command when it stands up next month. The current Space and Missile Systems Center will become SSC. Guetlein is now the deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office.
Personnel

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