USFK Deputy Commander Nominated for Pacific Air Forces Role

U.S. Forces Korea Deputy Commander David R. Iverson has been nominated for a key leadership position within the U.S. military's Pacific command. The U.S. Department of Defense announced that Iverson is slated to become the Deputy Commander of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), based in Hawaii, pending Senate confirmation for his promotion to lieutenant general.

Currently, Iverson holds several significant concurrent positions, including Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Commander of the Combined Air Component of the UN Command, Commander of the Combined Air Component of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and Commander of the 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base. His potential move to PACAF represents a significant shift in his command responsibilities.

Iverson's tenure in Korea has seen some notable events, including a diplomatic protest lodged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October regarding a special prosecutor's search of the Korean military's Central Air Defense Control Center at Osan Air Base. Following this incident, U.S. Forces Korea reportedly restricted the use of Korean government employee identification cards for entry into Osan Air Base.

The nomination process requires the U.S. Senate's approval for both the promotion to lieutenant general and the new assignment. Iverson assumed his current roles in April 2023, but his official inauguration was delayed until January 2024 due to confirmation delays.