After less than a year serving as the commander of US Naval forces in the Asia-Pacific, Navy Adm. Harry Harris is now on tap to take over as commander of US Pacific Command, according to a Pentagon announcement. Harris, a veteran naval aviator with extensive experience flying P-3 and other Naval surveillance aircraft, will replace Adm. Samuel Locklear, who has held the position since March 2012, upon confirmation by the Senate. Harris comes to the job from US Pacific Fleet, where he worked alongside US Pacific Air Forces’ Commander Gen. Hawk Carlisle, who has praised Harris for his collaborative work with the Air Force to build more effective air-maritime operations with partners in the Asia-Pacific and putting AirSea Battle concepts into operational use.
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…