WASHINGTON, March 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. to head the military command responsible for defense of the homeland.
In a vote late Monday, the Senate confirmed Renuart to receive his fourth star and become chief of the Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, The Shreveport Times in Louisiana reported on Wednesday.
Prior to his new post, Renuart served as senior military adviser to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He also served as director of strategic plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
During his confirmation hearing on March 8, Renuart pledged commitment to the U.S. National Guard and Reserves, an element of the armed services that has recently received negative attention for its lack of preparedness. He said that leading the missions of NORTHCOM and NORAD would be challenging, but that he considered it a "sacred honor" to be nominated.
The Senate also confirmed the nomination on Monday of Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating as chief of the Pacific Command, one of the top posts of the service. Keating was commander of NORTHCOM before receiving the PACOM nomination.
In announcing the nomination of both officers in February, Secretary Gates said that, "each has shown the requisite combination of military, diplomatic and intellectual skills to be successful in these two positions."
