U.S. Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander of the Pacific Air Forces, has emerged as the leading candidate to serve as the next chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, sources told Defense News.
O’Shaughnessy’s potential nomination and confirmation to the post would be the first time U.S. Navy officials would be passed over to lead PACOM, Defense News reported Friday.
He was appointed to serve as head of the Pacific Air Forces, PACOM air component commander and executive director of the Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff in 2016.
The 31-year military veteran previously served as deputy commander of U.S. forces in Korea and head of Air Component Command in the East Asian country for two years.
O’Shaughnessy is former director for operations at PACOM headquarters in Hawaii and former deputy chief for politico-military affairs for Asia on the Joint Staff.
The report noted that Adm. Phil Davidson, Fleet Forces commander, has come out as the Navy’s likely nominee to succeed current PACOM chief Adm. Harry Harris, who is expected to retire in 2018.
