U.S. President George W. Bush has nominated Maj. Gen. Edward Rice, Jr. to become the next U.S. Forces Japan commander, to replace Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, the U.S. forces announced Thursday.

Rice is currently vice commander of Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, which supports 45,000 air force ranks serving principally in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, South Korea and Japan.

Rice's nomination has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation. The process is expected to finish early next year, the U.S. Forces in Japan said.

Wright was appointed to the position in January 2005.