The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz for promotion to the grade of general to take command of Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, Tex. Lorenz, currently head of Air University at Maxwell AFB, Ala., will succeed Gen. William R. Looney, who is retiring after 36 years of service, including leading AETC since June 2005. The Senate also approved Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck to become a lieutenant general to replace Lorenz in the top Air University position. Peck has been serving as vice commander of the university.
A U.S. Air Force F-22 shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, a week after it first entered U.S. airspace near Alaska. Officials said they took measures to prevent the balloon from gathering sensitive military information and are actively working to recover…