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Obama to nominate 1st woman to head US combatant command

March 18, 2016
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Air Force shows Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Commander, currently the head of the Pacific Air Force. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major U.S. military combatant command. If confirmed by the Senate, Robinson would be the seventh commander to head the Colorado-based U.S. Northern Command. (U.S. Air Force)

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Air Force shows Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Commander, currently the head of the Pacific Air Force. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major U.S. military combatant command. (U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter says President Barack Obama will nominate the first woman to head a major U.S. military combatant command.

If confirmed by the Senate, Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson would be the seventh commander to head the Colorado-based U.S. Northern Command. The command was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate and improve homeland defense and to provide support for other national disasters.

Robinson is currently the head of the Pacific Air Force.

Carter also says Obama will nominate Gen. Vincent Brooks to head U.S. Forces Korea. Brooks currently is in charge of U.S. Army Pacific Command.