General Smith Goes to Norfolk: 
USAF Gen. Lance L. Smith, a top fighter pilot who flew combat missions in Vietnam and Iraq, has assumed command of US Joint Forces Command and NATO’s Allied Command-Transformation, both headquartered in Norfolk, Va. (DR, 10/21/05) Smith had been deputy commander of US Central Command, playing a big role in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Smith replaces Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., now Vice JCS Chairman. Smith flew A-1s in Vietnam and F-15s in Iraq. He commanded two fighter wings and led two AEF deployments to the Gulf.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
