Gen. Lori Robinson, the head of Pacific Air Forces, was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people Thursday—the same day she appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a hearing on her nomination to lead US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Robinson, during the hearing, said she was concerned about the flow of illegal drugs across the country’s southern border, but said she believes Russia is the “greatest threat” facing the US, with homegrown violent extremists also a threat within the homeland. If confirmed, Robinson will be the first woman to serve as a combatant commander.
The Air Force recently released an updated policy implementing the Pentagon’s new guidance on troops’ religious accommodation requests. The new policy emphasizes the role commanders play in reviewing such requests, limiting the role of chaplains and eliminating special boards meant to advise leaders.