Lt. Gen. William Shelton has been nominated by President Obama to receive a fourth star and take command of Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo. Shelton has been assistant vice chief of staff and director of the Air Staff since July 2009. If the Senate gives the nod to his nomination, he will replace Gen. Robert Kehler, who has been tapped to lead US Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. Shelton has extensive background in space, leading, for example 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., from May 2005 to December 2008. Nominated to be the next assistant vice chief of staff is Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. Serving as deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel since January 2008, Newton also has more than 2,900 flying hours in bombers and trainer aircraft.
Dick Cheney’s Legacy with the Air Force
Nov. 6, 2025
Dick Cheney, who died Nov. 3 at 84, is best remembered by most Americans as among the most powerful Vice Presidents in history, a consummate Washington insider who had previously served in the Nixon administration, was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a Congressman for a decade, and Secretary…


