The Senate confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. John Hyten to receive a fourth star to lead Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo. In this role, he will oversee the more than 40,000 airmen around the globe who make up the Air Force’s space and cyber forces. Hyten will succeed Gen. William Shelton, who has commanded AFSPC since January 2011. President Obama tapped Hyten for this leadership post in March. The Senate gave its blessing on April 9. Hyten has been AFSPC’s vice commander since May 2012.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
