Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis has been approved by the Senate to lead US Central Command. Mattis will now oversee the US military’s efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, He fills the leadership void at CENTCOM left by Army Gen. David Petraeus’ departure at the end of June to take charge of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. As we reported Friday, Mattis’ nomination vote occurred on the evening of Aug. 5, prior to Congress adjourning for its August recess. Prior to this, Mattis led US Joint Forces Command for nearly three years.
The Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile is behind schedule and may significantly overrun its expected cost, which could partially explain why the service is reviving the hypersonic AGM-183 Air-Launched Rapid-Response Weapon.