The Senate confirmed the nomination of Adm. Samuel Locklear to lead US Pacific Command. He succeeds Adm. Robert Willard, who held the position since October 2009. Locklear comes to PACOM from US Naval Forces Europe, a command he led since October 2010. The Senate gave Locklear the nod on Feb. 17, eight days after he appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination hearing.
When Donald Trump begins his second term as president in January, national security law experts anticipate he may return to his old habit of issuing orders to the military via social media, a practice which could cause confusion in the ranks.