A top Air Force commander at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been nominated to be the next chief of the National Guard Bureau, pending confirmation by the Senate. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Nordhaus, currently serving as the commander of the 1st Air Force and NORAD's continental U.S. region, is set to replace Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who is retiring on August 2.
If confirmed, Nordhaus will be promoted to a four-star general and join the Joint Chiefs of Staff. With a background as a fighter pilot and extensive experience in commanding Air National Guard units, Nordhaus brings a wealth of expertise to the role.
The National Guard Bureau is currently facing a leadership vacuum, with several top positions either vacant or soon to be vacated. Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, the former vice chief, has already retired, while Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, the current chief of the Army Guard, is also set to retire in early August. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, the former director of the Air Guard, has retired.
While nominations for replacements have been made, including Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak for Air Guard director and Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs for Army Guard director, confirmation hearings have yet to be scheduled. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard is reportedly the likely nominee for vice chief of the Guard Bureau, but his nomination has not been submitted to the Senate.
The lack of progress on these nominations has raised concerns within the National Guard Bureau, particularly as the organization prepares for a busy hurricane season and potential challenges during the upcoming election period. The Guard chief plays a crucial role in overseeing the training and deployment of Guard forces for both domestic and overseas missions.
Nordhaus, a graduate of the Air Force Academy with a distinguished career that includes combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, is well-positioned to lead the National Guard Bureau during this critical period. His nomination reflects a commitment to ensuring strong and capable leadership within the Guard as it fulfills its vital role in national defense and disaster response.
