President Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Craig McKinley for a third star and to serve as director of the Air National Guard. McKinley, who is currently assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and programs on the Air Staff, is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in fighters and transports. He has served in numerous operations and command ANG billets, including commanding 1st Air Force, covering NORAD’s continental US air defense region.
House and Senate lawmakers say they’re hopeful Congress will pass a defense appropriations bill in the coming weeks to avoid a repeat of last fall’s government shutdown, with only having a handful of working days remaining before the Jan. 30 deadline. Yet legislations still have to release a compromise version of defense spending legislation, which will have to…

