President Obama on Thursday nominated Maj. Gen. David Goldfein for promotion to the grade of lieutenant general as he moves to his new assignment as Air Forces Central commander. Goldfein has been Air Combat Command’s director of operations since August 2009. In his new role, he will oversee air operations in Southwest Asia, including Afghanistan. Goldfein will replace Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage at AFCENT’s helm. Like Goldfein, Hostage has been in his current position since August 2009. (DOD release)
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.