07.09.15

Durbin Meets with Generals Selva and McDew Of Scott Air Force Base

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met today with two Air Force Generals from Scott Air Force Base who are currently nominated for promotions. Durbin met with the current Commander of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, General Paul Selva, who is nominated to serve as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. Durbin also met with General Darren McDew who currently heads the Air Mobility Command, also located at Scott Air Force Base, and is nominated to be Commander of US Transportation Command. Photos of today’s meetings will be available shortly here.

   

“During his tenure at Scott Air Base, General Selva has distinguished himself as a strong, capable leader. Although we will miss having him in Illinois, I look forward to working with General Selva in his new role here in Washington, DC. I am also confident that as his successor, General McDew is well-qualified to continue his track record of success. I am glad that General McDew will continue to call Scott Air Force Base home,” Durbin said.

   

The Senate confirmed General Selva to take over as Commander of U.S. Transportation Command in April 2014.  He had previously been serving as the Commander of the Air Mobility. Command General Selva graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 and has held numerous staff positions and has commanded at the squadron, group, wing and headquarters levels. Before his current and previous assignments at Scott Air Force Base, General Selva was the Vice Commander of the Pacific Air Forces. General Selva is also a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the C-5, C-17A, C-141B, KC-10, KC-135A and T-37.

   

General Darren McDew was confirmed by the Senate to take over as Commander of Air Mobility Command in April 2014. General McDew served previously at Scott as Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing and as Vice Commander of the 18th Air Force.  He began his career as a C-17 and C-130 pilot, and has served in numerous capacities in Washington, D.C., including as Chief of the U.S. Senate U.S. Air Force Liaison Division.

   

Durbin serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the military and intelligence community, the nation’s national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve service members. The Subcommittee also oversees funding for Overseas Contingency Operations, including military operations worldwide. All told, the Subcommittee controls more than half of the nation’s annual discretionary budget.