By Jennifer H. Svan
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (Stars and Stripes) — The next boss of US airmen in Europe shouldn’t have a very steep learning curve on the job.
Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe — Air Forces Africa since last fall, has been nominated for a fourth star and to lead the command.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan announced on March 26 that President Donald Trump had picked Harrigian for the position.
If confirmed by the Senate, Harrigian would succeed Gen. Tod D. Wolters. Wolters earlier this month was nominated to be the next NATO Supreme Allied Commander and commander of US European Command, replacing US Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti.
Like Wolters, Harrigian is a fighter pilot and US Air Force Academy alumnus, having graduated from the Colorado Springs, Colo., service academy in 1985.