Senators were working on a deal Thursday evening to enable the confirmation vote for Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis before the Congressional August recess begins on Monday, a spokeswoman for Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) tells the Daily Report. President Obama on July 8 nominated Mattis to be the next commander of US Central Command. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the nomination on Wednesday, following his nomination hearing on July 27. If confirmed by the full Senate, Mattis would replace Army Gen. David Petraeus who now leads NATO forces in Afghanistan following the dismissal of Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Mattis is currently head of US Joint Forces Command.
Dozens of fighter jets gathered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida last week to kick off one of the service’s biggest air combat exercises despite the government shutdown. More than 50 aircraft and 500 personnel are participating in Checkered Flag 26-1.
