President Obama has nominated Gen. Darren McDew to lead US Transportation Command. McDew, who has commanded Air Mobility Command since May 2014, would replace Gen. Paul Selva, who has been tapped to serve as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obama also nominated Navy Adm. John Richardson for assignment as Chief of Naval Operations. Richardson currently serves as director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of Navy and Department of Energy. He would replace Adm. Jonathan Greenert, who has led the Navy Department since September 2011. Both appointments are pending Senate confirmation.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
