ARLINGTON, Va. – Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Stubbs will serve as the National Guard Bureau's acting chief, National Guard officials announced today.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Stubbs last week as the new director of the Army National Guard. Most recently the adjutant general for the Arkansas National Guard, he was promoted to lieutenant general in a ceremony at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army Readiness Center here today. Stubbs will act as chief until a successor to retired Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson is confirmed. Hokanson relinquished responsibility as chief of the NGB last Friday. Army Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, the current director of the Army National Guard, will retire today, passing his duties to Stubbs.
President Joe Biden has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, currently the commander of U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and 1st Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Northern and U.S. Air Forces Space), to become the 30th CNGB. This nomination is pending Senate confirmation.
Air Force Maj. Gen. M. Luke Ahmann, currently the director of Programs and Requirements for the National Guard Bureau, will serve as acting vice chief of the NGB. Last week, the Senate confirmed Ahmann for promotion to lieutenant general when he assumes command at 1st Air Force. No vice chief of NGB has yet been nominated. The position remains open since the retirement of Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc H. Sasseville in May.
Army Maj. Gen. Joseph R. Baldwin, the deputy director of the Army National Guard, will act as the ARNG's director while Stubbs serves as acting CNGB. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke A. Pirak, currently the deputy director of the Air National Guard, continues his role as acting ANG director. Pirak's nomination awaits Senate confirmation to replace Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, who retired in June.