Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced that the president has made the following nominations:
Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott A. Howell for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. Howell is currently serving as commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force, Afghanistan; and commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Component Command, Afghanistan, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Bagram, Afghanistan.
Air Force Maj. Gen. James C. Vechery for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as deputy commander for military operations, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. Vechery is currently serving as director, operational capability requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
Air Force Col. DeAnna M. Burt has been nominated for appointment the grade of brigadier general. Burt is currently serving as commander, 50th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.