US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter says president Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major US military combatant command.
If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen Lori Robinson would be the seventh commander to head the Colorado-based US Northern Command.
The command was created in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks to coordinate and improve homeland defence and to provide support for other national disasters.
Gen Robinson is currently the head of the Pacific Air Force.
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Mr Carter also says Mr Obama will nominate Gen Vincent Brooks to head US Forces Korea. Gen Brooks currently is in charge of US Army Pacific Command.
Gen Brooks’s nomination also is subject to Senate confirmation.
PA