Lt. Gen. John Hyten, vice commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo., has been nominated for a fourth star and for assignment as AFSPC commander. If the Senate approves his nomination, he would replace Gen. William Shelton, who has led AFSPC since January 2011. The President also has nominated Lt. Gen. Darren McDew for appointment to the rank of general and for assignment as commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, Ill. McDew, who currently serves as commander of 18th Air Force at Scott, would replace Gen. Paul Selva, who has been tapped to lead US Transportation Command. Selva has led AMC since November 2012. (DOD release)
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
