【By Observer Network, Wang Shipu】A B2 pilot who participated in the direct air strike on Yugoslavia is now promoted to the position of Deputy Commander of the U.S. Air Force. According to an article published on July 16 by the "Air & Space Forces Magazine" website, both the U.S. Air Force and Space Force will have new deputy commanders. General Thomas A. Bussiere has been nominated as the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, while Lieutenant General Shawn N. Bratton has been nominated for promotion to general and will serve as the Vice Chief of Space Operations.

According to congressional notice, President Trump submitted these two appointments on July 15. Both positions require approval from the Senate, and the nominations have been submitted to the Senate Committee on Armed Services for review.

Of particular interest is General Bussiere, who currently heads the Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the U.S. land-based nuclear missiles and bomber fleets. Previously, as a B-2 bomber pilot, he participated in the air strikes against Yugoslavia in 1999 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. This means that he directly flew the B-2 during combat missions against Yugoslavia.

General Thomas A. Bussiere (top image) and the B-2A bomber in 1999

The Air Force has been without a Vice Chief of Staff since February this year. At that time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth relieved General James C. Slife of his duties, as well as General Charles Q. Brown Jr., then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the former Chief of Naval Operations.

General Bussiere's background is unique. He entered the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Norwich University in 1985. After joining the military, he became a pilot, flying the T-38 Talon trainer, F-15C Eagle fighter, B-2A Spirit stealth bomber, B-1B Lancer bomber, and F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, with over 3,400 flight hours. He has participated in multiple combat missions, including flying the F-15C during the "Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior" operation in the Iraqi no-fly zone, and later transferred to the bomber force.

Notably, as a B-2 bomber pilot, he participated in the U.S. air strikes against Yugoslavia in 1999 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. This means he directly flew the B-2 during the bombing mission against Yugoslavia. On May 7, 1999, NATO, led by the United States, bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, resulting in the deaths of three Chinese journalists and injuries to more than 20 Chinese diplomats. The female reporter Shao Yunhuan from Xinhua News Agency, aged 48, and the reporters Xu Xinghu and his wife Zhu Ying, aged 31 and 28 respectively, were killed. Although the U.S. military did not disclose the crew list or B-2A bomber numbers involved in the bombing of our embassy, General Thomas A. Bussiere is likely one of the suspects.

The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that the Chinese people will never forget that on May 7, 1999, NATO, led by the United States, bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia, resulting in the deaths of three Chinese journalists and injuries to more than 20 Chinese diplomats. The Chinese people will never forget NATO's barbaric act, and will not allow such a historical tragedy to happen again.

He served successively as the commander of the 325th Bomb Squadron, the 13th Bomb Squadron, the 509th Operational Group, and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. He also served as the commander of the Alaska Command, the U.S. Northern Command; the commander of the 11th Air Force in the Pacific; the commander of the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command at Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base in Alaska; the commander of the 8th Air Force; the commander of the Global Joint Strike Operations Center and the Global Strike Joint Function Component at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana;

As a "B-2" veteran, Bussiere's appointment comes at a very delicate time. Bussiere's nomination coincides with the Pentagon's modernization efforts of the three components of its triad - land-based, sea-based, and air-based nuclear forces and their command and control systems. The U.S. Air Force is responsible for the development and investment of the B-21 bomber project and the "Sentinel" land-based intercontinental ballistic missile project. The B-21 project is progressing smoothly, but the "Sentinel" missile project is facing serious cost overruns and delays.

Previously, Lieutenant General Scott L. Pleus served as the acting VCSAF. If the nomination is confirmed, Bussiere will serve as the deputy to the Air Force Chief of Staff, General David W. Allvin.

In comparison, the second position in the Space Force was recently vacant. Current Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael A. Guetlein was selected by Trump in May to lead his "Golden Dome" missile defense program. He was officially nominated as the direct reporting program manager for the Golden Dome for America in June. Guetlein is currently waiting for Senate confirmation of this position.

With the Space Force taking on more responsibilities within the Department of Defense (DOD), the branch has been advocating for more resources. Under the "Golden Dome" program, its responsibilities are expected to expand further, as many of the U.S.'s key missile warning capabilities rely on space-based systems, and the Pentagon has proposed transferring more ground capabilities (such as target indication) to space-based assets. The Space Force is also taking action to address weapons from Russia and China that could threaten U.S. satellites and to develop its own "counter-space" (anti-space) capabilities.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7527961860571464227/

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