Grady confirmed as new vice chair for Joint Chiefs

Senators late Thursday confirmed Navy Adm. Christopher Grady to serve as the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, filling the key leadership post after nearly a month of vacancy.

The move came without objection as chamber leaders work to wrap up their legislative business before a planned holiday break. Grady had been unanimously approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier in the week.

Grady replaces Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who retired from the vice chief post in November. Numerous lawmakers expressed concern in the weeks leading up to his retirement that the White House was slow to nominate his successor, and warned that a lengthy wait to confirm a replacement could create leadership issues at the Pentagon.

RELATED

Fleet Forces commander nominated as next Joint Chiefs vice chairman

Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, who has served in the Fleet Forces role for the last three years, would replace retiring Vice Chairman Air Force Gen. John Hyten.

By Leo Shane III and Stephen Losey

Administration officials downplayed those concerns but pushed for quick consideration of Grady’s nomination in the Senate.

For the last three years, Grady served as head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command. His 37-year military career has spanned numerous leadership roles, including commanding the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

In his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Grady said as vice chairman he will focus on “leveraging our competitive advantages” to ensure the U.S. military stays the strongest in the world.

That includes working with “our many allies and partners with whom we are stronger together” and supporting “our servicemen and women who are always resolute, ready and lethal on arrival.”

The Senate is expected to finish up several other Defense Department leadership confirmations over the next few days before leaving for recess.

More In Pentagon & Congress

New US Space Force jammers aim to disrupt China’s SATCOM signals

The Remote Modular Terminals, which disrupt adversary satellites by "yelling in their ear," as one official put it, are cleared for initial fielding,

Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the service is not sized to meet increasing threats from China and Russia.

SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission

The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months.

Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations

The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.