President Obama has tapped Lt. Gen. John Hesterman to become the next leader of Air Forces Central, announced the Pentagon on Jan. 24. AFCENT oversees the Air Force’s air and space operations in places including Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Hesterman currently serves as the military deputy for readiness to the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness in the Pentagon. If the Senate approves this move, Hesterman would replace Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, who has led AFCENT since August 2011. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. William Etter for a third star for assignment as commander of 1st Air Force and the Continental US NORAD Region at Tyndall AFB, Fla., according to the same release. Etter has been the assistant to the Joint Chiefs Chairman for National Guard matters since June 2012. He would fill the vacancy created by the departure of Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, who has received Senate confirmation to be the next Air National Guard director.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
