Myers nominated for second term Published June 23, 2003 By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- President George W. Bush has nominated Gen. Richard Myers for a second two-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Myers has served in the position since Oct. 1, 2001. The Senate must confirm the nomination.He was the vice chairman before becoming chairman.He was nominated as chairman before Sept. 11, 2001. On the day of the attacks in New York and on the Pentagon, the general was on Capitol Hill meeting with senators in advance of his confirmation hearings.He rushed back to the Pentagon and manned his station in the National Military Command Center in the aftermath of the attacks.Myers, who serves as the principal military adviser to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council, helped plan America's response to the terrorist attacks and then helped plan the coalition attack on al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan.Myers also provided advice for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld often briefed the press and the American people.Myers was born in Kansas City, Mo. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1965 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force.Myers flew more than 600 combat hours in F-4 Phantom IIs over Vietnam. He is a command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours in the T-33, C-37, C-21, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.He has served at a number of Air Force and joint command posts, including as commander in chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command.Before assuming that position, he was commander of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, from July 1997 to July 1998. From November 1993 to June 1996, Myers was commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan.