Eglin to keep two-star

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Force said that Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, commander of the Air Armament Center, will remain at Eglin Air Force Base as its Program Executive Officer for Weapons. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., hailed the announcement as significant, but Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., remains leery. Last fall the Air Force announced changes for the Materiel Command, which included shrinking the command from 12 to five centers. Under the consolidation, Merchant's job would have been eliminated along with the Air Armament Center. Merchant himself said he's pleased to remain in charge of the weapons programs. "I look forward to continuing my role in weapons development, production and sustainment, and leading this group of men and women who are so dedicated to our nation's defense," he said. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, Pensacola News Journal, 06/07/12, DoD, 06/08/12) Previous