Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog replaced Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins as the US military’s senior leader in Alaska. “Here is an impressive leader with a distinctive career, uniquely well suited to assume this strategically important post and manage the multi-faceted nature of this assignment,” said Adm. Robert Willard, US Pacific Command commander, of Hoog during the Nov. 7 change-of-command ceremony at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. “To the men and women who make up this team serving in the last frontier, my pledge is simple: Together, we’ll accomplish the mission our nation requires, while focusing on our greatest asset, our people,” said Hoog, who previously led 9th Air Force at Shaw AFB, S.C. In his new role, Hoog also oversees 11th Air Force, NORAD’s Alaska region, and Joint Task Force-Alaska. Atkins, who led Alaska Command since May 2008, is retiring, effective Jan. 1, ending a 33-year Air Force career. (Elmendorf-Richardson report by SrA. Cynthia Spalding)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
