The Senate has confirmed President Obama’s nomination of Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc to receive a fourth star for assignment as commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa at Ramstein AB, Germany. Officials with the command announced the news on Tuesday, although the Senate’s action actually came several days before that, according to the Senate’s website. “I am pleased and humbled to receive the Senate confirmation,” said Gorenc, the Air Force’s assistant vice chief of staff since April 2012, in Ramstein’s July 2 release. “I have roots in Europe and as an airman have been fortunate enough to spend three tours there, most recently as the commander of 3rd Air Force,” he said. Obama last month tapped Gorenc to lead at Ramstein, filling the void created when now-Gen. Philip Breedlove left there in May to become NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and head of US European Command. In his new post, Gorenc will also lead NATO’s Allied Air Command at Ramstein and the Joint Air Power Competence Center there. The Senate last month approved Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog to replace Gorenc as the assistant vice chief. (Ramstein report by Lt. Col. Carl Grusnick)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.