Lt. Gen. William Shelton‘s nomination to receive a fourth star and take the helm of Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo., has received the Senate’s approval, USAF officials announced Thursday. He’ll replace Gen. Robert Kehler, who’s been tapped to head US Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. Shelton has been assistant vice chief of staff since July 2009. President Obama nominated him to command AFPSC in September. The Senate has also confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Richard Newton to remain at his three-star rank to be the new assistant vice chief. Newton has been in charge of manpower and personnel issues on the Air Staff since January 2008. Filling that Air Staff void will be Maj. Gen. Darrell Jones. The Senate has approved his nomination for promotion to lieutenant general for this new assignment. Jones has led the Air Force District of Washington at Andrews AFB, Md., since last November.
A Golden Dome task force established under U.S. Northern Command earlier this year has a broad remit, which includes fielding the capability to defend the U.S. against missile and drone attacks, its leaders said this week. Some of the primary focuses right now are ensuring Golden Dome can defend itself…