Donald Trump nominates Air Force general as vice chairman of Pentagon

President Donald Trump is nominating the Air Force general in charge of US Strategic Command to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen John Hyten now serves as commander of the US nuclear forces and has the lead military role for space operations. His nomination was announced Tuesday by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson.

If confirmed by the Senate, Hyten would succeed the retiring Air Force Gen. Paul Selva. The vice chairman is the second-ranking military officer behind the chairman but does not command troops Trump said last December that he was nominating Army Gen. Mark Milley to succeed Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Dunford's term ends October 1.