ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate has confirmed Michael B. Donley as the Air Force secretary.

His was one of the more than 5,600 nominations confirmed Thursday, according to the Senate Armed Service Committee.

Donley has been serving as acting secretary since June 21, after Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the Air Force’s top leadership over incidents involving the mishandling of nuclear weapons.

He was confirmed Thursday, allowing him to be formally appointed by President Bush, an Air Force news release said.

Donley has more than 30 years’ experience in national security, including serving as acting Air Force secretary for seven months in 1993, the news release said.

The Senate has also confirmed Gen. William M. Fraser III as the Air Force vice chief of staff.

Fraser, now an assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will assume the position Oct. 9, the news release said. He replaces Gen. Duncan McNabb, who took the help at U.S. Transportation Command in September.

Gen. David D. McKiernan was also confirmed as the commander of all U.S. troops in Afghanistan, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee. McKiernan has served as commander of the NATO mission in Afghanistan since May.

Also Thursday, the Senate confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley as chief of the National Guard Bureau.

McKinley was also approved for his fourth star, making him the first full general in the National Guard’s 372-year history, a National Guard Bureau news release said.

McKinley replaces Army Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, who was also confirmed Thursday as the first National Guard deputy commander to U.S. Northern Command, the news release said.

Blum will remain a three-star general.