Leadership Moves

The Senate has confirmed Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz as the new commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, according to a service notice released this afternoon. The three-star will oversee all of the service’s intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-focused bombers.

President Barack Obama nominated Klotz -- who is the Air Force assistant vice chief of staff -- to for the top AFGSC post in mid-April.

A Rhodes scholar who holds a doctorate in philosophy, Klotz has spent the majority of his career working with nuclear ICBMs. He also served as the vice commander of Air Force Space Command.

Also today, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley the service’s next enlisted leader.

Chief Master Sergeant James Roy will become the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during an appointment ceremony on June 30, which will coincide with Chief McKinley’s retirement.

In a statement Schwartz said:

This is a good day for all Airmen. While they will lose a tremendous leader and advocate in Chief McKinley, they gain a worthy successor in Chief Roy. Given his record and reputation, I am confident that Chief Roy will carry the best interests of our Air Force family forward to our nation’s leaders as we support today’s joint fight and rebalance our force for the challenges ahead.

Roy currently serves as the senior enlisted leader and advisor to the U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Timothy Keating. He has served as the command chief master sergeant at wings in Air Education and Training Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command.