Gen. Raymond Odierno became the 38th Army Chief of Staff during a ceremony at JB Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. Odierno, who was the last commander of US Joint Forces Command, replaced Gen. Martin Dempsey, who is transitioning to his new role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Ray Odierno brings to this job impressive, even impeccable, credentials as a soldier and leader, commanding units at every level during a career that spans some three and a half decades,” said Army Secretary John McHugh during Wednesday’s change-of-command ceremony. McHugh added, “Gen. Odierno is only the second officer since Vietnam to command at division, corps, and Army level during the same conflict.” Dempsey on Sept. 30 will become the first Army general in 10 years to lead the Joint Chiefs, succeeding Adm. Mike Mullen, who is retiring. (AFPS report by Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall)
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…