Bunch nominated to become four-star AFMC commander

President Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the Air Force's military deputy for acquisition, for a promotion to become the next four-star head of Air Force Materiel Command, the service said Wednesday.

"Bunch would take the banner of AFMC as the new National Defense Strategy focuses each of the services on innovation, cost-effective modernization and enhancing lethality to address the challenge of great power competition," according to a Dec. 12 Air Force release. "Bunch has served in a number of leadership roles in the weapons development, acquisition and test communities, including program executive officer for fighters and bombers, commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center and commander of the Air Force Test Center."

Bunch began his current job in June 2015. The service has not set a change-of-command date.

AFMC's nearly $60 billion portfolio spans 80,000 employees and eight Air Force installations that develop, buy, modernize and sustain weapon systems. The command is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, along with the Air Force Research Laboratory and myriad program offices under its umbrella.

If confirmed by the Senate, Bunch would replace Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, who retired in September after three years in the post. Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry has been serving as interim commander since August in addition to his duties as leader of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.