President Obama has nominated Brig. Gen. Christopher Burne for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as the Air Force’s judge advocate general, announced the Pentagon on Monday. Burne has been Air Combat Command’s staff judge advocate since April 2007. If the Senate confirms this nomination for the two-star jump, Burne would replace Lt. Gen. Richard Harding, who has served as JAG since February 2010. The JAG is the legal adviser to the Air Force Secretary and all officers and agencies of the Air Force.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

