HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Today the President nominated Maj. Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr. for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general with subsequent reassignment to United States Forces Japan. 

If the Senate approves the nomination, Gen. Rice, who presently serves as the Vice Commander, Pacific Air Forces, will replace Lt. Gen. Bruce 'Orville' Wright as Commander of United States Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force located at Yokota Air Base, Japan. 

"I'm honored to be nominated for a third star and to serve in this position," Gen. Rice said. "I look forward to continuing the great work that Gen. Wright initiated and working with our ally, Japan. My family and I are truly grateful to be a part of the world's greatest Air Force." 

Gen. Rice, a 1978 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, has previously served numerous assignments throughout the Pacific including commander, 13th Air Force, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Director of Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, Pacific Air Forces. Gen. Rice is a command pilot with more than 3,800 hours in various Air Force aircraft to include the B-52 G/H, B-1 and KC-135.