The Senate confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. John Hyten to receive a fourth star to lead Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo. In this role, he will oversee the more than 40,000 airmen around the globe who make up the Air Force’s space and cyber forces. Hyten will succeed Gen. William Shelton, who has commanded AFSPC since January 2011. President Obama tapped Hyten for this leadership post in March. The Senate gave its blessing on April 9. Hyten has been AFSPC’s vice commander since May 2012.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability prevail. “Peace through strength” has...