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***image2***Lt. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove assumed command of 3rd Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s component numbered air force charged to support U.S. European Command, in a ceremony at Ramstein July 22.
General Breedlove, who last served as vice director for strategic plans and policy on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., returns to 3rd Air Force less than two years after serving as vice commander of the 16th Air Force, the USAFE warfighting headquarters from which 3rd AF was reactivated in December 2006.
“Words cannot express how excited Cindy and I are to be back for our fourth assignment in Germany,” the general said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve with all of you.”
General Breedlove, who brings 31 years of experience in the U.S. Air Force, credited the men and women of 3rd AF with significant accomplishments since his last tour here.
From earning the first-ever joint task force certification during Flexible Leader 07, a training exercise conducted with Naval Forces Europe staff, to deploying more than 7,500 Airmen in direct support of the Global War on Terror, the men and women of 3rd AF carry on the unit’s “warfighting legacy,” the general said.
“Your morale and dedication is inspiring and humbling at the same time,” General Breedlove said. “Your accomplishments are many and your contributions to the defense of our nation are amazing.”
General Breedlove will now direct the full spectrum of air, space and cyberspace operations – from planning to execution and assessment – of all USAFE forces engaged in contingency and wartime operations in the USEUCOM area of responsibility. The area covers more than 21 million square miles and includes more than 90 countries and territories.
***image1***“I look forward to strengthening the relationships with our surrounding NATO and European Union friends,” he said.
He added U.S. Africa Command and its air component, the 17th Air Force, to the list of 3rd AF partnerships. AFRICOM will become the United States’ newest unified
command in just over two months.
USAFE Commander Gen. Roger A. Brady officiated at the ceremony. Others in attendance included host nation mayors, federal and state parliament representatives, NATO members, wing commanders, directors and command chiefs.
General Breedlove, who was officially promoted to lieutenant general July 21, entered the Air Force in 1977 as a distinguished graduate of Georgia Tech’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
He has been assigned to numerous operational, command and staff positions and has completed eight overseas tours, including two remote tours. He has commanded a fighter squadron, an operations group and three fighter wings, including the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Additionally, he has served as operations officer in the Pacific Command Division on the Joint Staff, executive officer to the commander of Headquarters Air Combat Command and as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force.
General Breedlove is a command pilot with 3,400 flying hours, primarily in the F-16 Falcon.
Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., who previously served as 3rd AF commander, will officially retire from the U.S. Air Force after more than 34 years on Aug. 9 at a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House.
Along with its headquarters staff, 3rd AF is comprised of nine wings, three groups and the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center, consisting of more than 27,000 personnel.
It also has a unique mission as the U.S. military’s primary liaison to the British government, a role carried out through the command’s 3rd AF-United Kingdom headquarters at Royal Air Force Mildenhall.
