President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Carlton Everhart for a fourth star and for assignment as commander of Air Mobility Command, according to an internal Air Force memo. Everhart has led 18th Air Force at Scott AFB, Ill., since June 2014. If confirmed, he would replace Gen. Darren McDew, who has been nominated to be commander of US Transportation Command.
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.