Obama to re-up Dempsey as Joint Chiefs chairman

President Obama says he's re-enlisting Gen. Martin Dempsey for another term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The president also says he's asking Adm. Sandy Winnefeld to serve another term as Dempsey's vice chairman.

Obama said Wednesday that Dempsey and Winnefeld are, in his words, "superb officers" who have led the military with "great distinction, deep conviction and absolute integrity" during the past two years. He says they have earned his trust and that of the American people.

Obama called on the Senate to swiftly reconfirm them.

The president announced his intention in a White House statement issued as he flew to Senegal aboard Air Force One.