SOCOM Vice Nominated for AFSOC Top Job

March 11, 2019 | By Rachel S. Cohen


Lt. Gen. James Slife has been nominated to be the next commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. Air Force photo.

Lt. Gen. James Slife is slated to take over as head of Air Force Special Operations Command, replacing Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, the Defense Department said in a nomination announcement Thursday.

Slife currently serves as vice commander of US Special Operations Command, and would move to AFSOC headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Webb, who became AFSOC commander in July 2016, has led the organization through the latest stages of buying the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship from Lockheed Martin, as well as pursuing a laser weapon for that platform, among other initiatives.

A command spokesman declined to say when Webb plans to leave or where he is headed.

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