The Senate has approved the nomination of Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage for promotion to the rank of general for his new assignment as head of Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Va. Hostage has overseen the air campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq since August 2009 as commander of Air Forces Central. He will replace Gen. William Fraser, who’s led ACC since September 2009. The Senate also has confirmed the nomination of Maj. Gen. David Goldfein to receive a third star as he heads to his new assignment replacing Hostage in Southwest Asia at AFCENT’s helm. Goldfein has been ACC’s director of operations since August 2009.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.