Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy assumed command of Pacific Air Forces on Tuesday during a ceremony at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. O’Shaughnessy was confirmed and received his fourth star on June 29. He replaced Lt. Gen. Russell Handy who was appointed as interim commander in May after Gen. Lori Robinson moved to US Northern Command. O’Shaughnessy previously served as the commander of 7th Air Forces and deputy commander of US Forces Korea. Lt. Gen. Thomas Bergeson took over command of 7th Air Force during a ceremony on July 8. O’Shaughnessy is a career fighter pilot with more than 3,000 hours primarily in the F-16.
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.
