President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox for assignment as commander of 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill. Cox has served as deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services since December 2013. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Gina Grosso, who currently serves as director of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, for a third star. If confirmed, she would replace Cox at the Pentagon.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.