Gen. Kevin Chilton formally assumed command of Air Force Space Command during a ceremony June 26 at Peterson AFB, Colo., home to AFSPC headquarters. Chilton, who succeeds now-retired Gen. Lance Lord, is the first former astronaut to earn a fourth star, which he pinned on just before the change of command. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, who presided at the ceremony, told Chilton, “You know air and space power first hand; you understand the needs, the nuances of command and you know the challenges ahead of us as an air and space force.” Chilton spoke of the command’s uniqueness, in that every operational unit is “CHOP’d” to the head of US Strategic Command, the nation’s combatant commander for space. Said Chilton of his new personnel, “We are in the fight, 24/7, 365 days of the year.”
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
