The Pentagon announced May 12 that President Obama has nominated Adm. James Stavridis to replace Army Gen. Bantz Craddock as Supreme Allied Command Europe and commander of US European Command. Craddock plans to retire this summer after some 40 years of military service. Stavridis currently serves as commander of US Southern Command. The Obama Administration has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser to receive a fourth star and head USSOUTHCOM.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
