Maj. Gen. Harry D. Polumbo Jr., who has served in various capacities in Afghanistan, has been appointed commander of the 9th Air Force, Air Combat Command, headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, the Departmetnt of Defense announced Friday.

The Ninth Air Force is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Air Combat Command fighter forces based throughout the Southeastern United States. It is made up of eight active-duty wings and two direct reporting units with more than 480 aircraft and 28,000 active-duty and civilian personnel. It is also responsible for the operational readiness of 14 Air Reserve Component wings.

--Rachael Myers Lowe