President Obama yesterday formally nominated Lt. Gen. Raymond Johns for a fourth star to be the next commander of Air Mobility Command, replacing Gen. Arthur Lichte, who is expected to retire. Johns has been serving as deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs on the Air Staff since October 2006. Back in early June, Johns’ name appeared on the Senate’s list of nominations for promotion to the grade of general, but no new assignment was given then so this new announcement clears up that ambiguity.
The Air Force is launching an effort to develop a new stand-off missile with a range of 1,000 nautical miles, or 1,150 miles, that would eventually be used for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.