The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser for promotion to the rank of general to serve as commander of US Southern Command. Fraser is the first Air Force general to head SOUTHCOM, which oversees the US military’s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Fraser, currently the deputy commander of US Pacific Command, was nominated for the SOUTHCOM post in April. He replaces Adm. James Stavridis, whom the Senate confirmed on June 10 to take over US European Command. Stavridis will succeed Army Gen. Bantz Craddock, who is retiring.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.