The Senate has confirmed a third star for Maj. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr. and his assignment as commander of 8th Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale AFB, La. (He was nominated earlier this month.) Elder would replace Lt. Gen. Kevin Chilton, who is on his way to take charge of Air Force Space Command. In his new role, Elder will also become space and global strike component commander for US Strategic Command.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
