The Senate is expected to fill three vacancies on the Joint Chiefs of Staff — including the chairman post — after a surprise breakthrough Wednesday. The service is also revamping their fitness academy and adding skills identifiers for NCOs. The pair hammered reducing burdens, raising standards, improving equipment and focusing on warfighting. The expeditionary force is supposed to be commanded by a three-star general. The Army's next vice chief comes from Pentagon's Joint Staff. George is set to appear Wednesday at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The aircraft carrier Washington's refueling ran two years long, due to the pandemic, industrial base challenges and unplanned work in the propulsion plant. The carrier air wing demonstrated it can safely launch and recover aircraft during day and night operations. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blanket hold on military confirmations could create as many as five joint chiefs vacancies. Here's what happens next. The ship was originally slated to conclude its maintenance in 2021. Load More