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.
NATO Scrambles Fighter in Newest Response to Russian Drones
Sept. 16, 2025
NATO scrambled its first fighter Sept. 13 under its new plan to bolster its defenses against Russian air incursions that was put into place after an array of Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last week, the officials from the alliance’s military command said.
