The Senate approved the nomination of Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford to lead US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Senators confirmed him on Dec. 3 by voice vote on the Senate floor, according to the Senate’s website. Dunford, currently the Marine Corps’ assistant commandant, will head the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, replacing Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, who has served in that role since July 2011. Obama tapped Dunford in October for the post, saying at the time Dunford would “lead our forces through key milestones in our effort that will allow us to bring the war to a close responsibly” by the end of 2014. Obama has nominated Allen to be the next NATO supreme allied commander for Europe and also lead US European Command.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.