Saw this in the news this morning:

"President Obama will nominate Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson for combatant commander of U.S Northern Command, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced this morning."

Her resume is impressive, and she's currently Commander of PACAF. That said, I'm surprised they are nominating a non-pilot for a COCOM. Apparently she is rated as a "Senior Air Battle Manager" with 900 hours of flight time in the E3 and E8.

Official Bio:

http://goo.gl/1itUuX

She has had 3 tours at Tinker AFB with AWACS, the last one as the AWACS Wing Commander. I live in a neighborhood with lots of AWACS folks who know her very well. They all have the utmost respect for her and speak very highly of her. And they are very proud that one of their own has risen so far in the ranks.

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I'm surprised they are nominating a non-pilot for a COCOM.

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Aren't ABMs considered "rated", just as pilots and navigators are?

Might be a sign of the shift toward drones.....

The essential purpose of NORTHCOM is the "protect the homeland" mission -- responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, as well as defending US airspace Operation Noble Eagle). It includes the nuclear deterrence mission, and ballistic missile defense.

It is pretty solidly within her professional skillset.

I wasn't saying she didn't have the skills/experience for the job. Merely commenting that it has (historically) been unusual to see the USAF appoint a non-pilot to just about any command above the Group level? Personally, I think it is a good thing.

Well said!

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I wasn't saying she didn't have the skills/experience for the job. Merely commenting that it has (historically) been unusual to see the USAF appoint a non-pilot to just about any command above the Group level? Personally, I think it is a good thing.

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Totally agree with you -- AF is highly pilot centric.

Just offering thoughts on why she would be able to "break the mold".

Nm