Kowalski Nominated to become STRATCOM’s Deputy

President Obama earlier this month tapped Lt. Gen. James Kowalski to become the deputy commander of US Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb., announced the Pentagon. Kowalski has overseen the Air Force’s Minuteman III ICBMs and nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers since January 2011 as head of Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, La. If the Senate approves this nomination, Kowalski would replace Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, who has been STRATCOM’s deputy commander since December 2011. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson to receive a third star for his assignment as the next AFGSC boss, succeeding Kowalski. Wilson currently commands 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) at Barksdale, which runs the nuclear-capable bomber force.