The Senate last week approved Lt. Gen. Larry James for reappointment to three-star rank for his new assignment overseeing intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance matters on the Air Staff. James will replace Lt. Gen. David Deptula, who formally retired on Oct. 1. James has led 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic-Space) at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., since December 2008. Taking over at 14th AF is Maj. Gen. Susan Helms, whom the Senate approved last week for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general for the assignment. She’s been director of plans and policy for U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb., since November 2008.
The Senate passed its version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization bill late Oct. 9 with new language restricting retirements for B-1 bombers and E-3 AWACS. Now lawmakers from the House and Senate must set about resolving the differences between their two bills, which could lead to significant changes for…
