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.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.