By Richard Lardner, Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Senate has confirmed an Air Force general to be the first female officer to lead one of the military’s warfighting commands.

By voice vote late Thursday, the Senate approved Gen. Lori Robinson to be commander of U.S. Northern Command. The command is responsible for preventing attacks against the United States.

She has been serving as commander of Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii. She joined the Air Force in 1982 after graduating from the University of New Hampshire.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire says Robinson is a trailblazer with the dedication and experience to succeed at Northern Command.

The Senate also confirmed Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti to be the top American commander in Europe and Army Gen. Vincent Brooks to lead U.S. forces in Korea.

To Learn More:

Navy’s First Female Four-Star Admiral (by Noel Brinkerhoff and Steve Straehley, AllGov)

One Place Where Women’s Pay Remains Stubbornly Equal to Men’s: U.S. Military (by Steve Straehley, AllGov)

Obama to Nominate First Woman to Head a U.S. Military Combatant Command (by Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press)