Twitter
Facebook
Prior to his change of command ceremony, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, outgoing 3rd AF commander, reflected on his time at Ramstein in his sixth command position.
He said the position here in Europe was significant to him as a naturalized citizen, born in Slovenia.
“The opportunity to command at the three-star level at a component numbered air force with a full staff and an air and space operations center was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but certainly more meaningful because of my family’s connections to the region,” the general said.
Gorenc rarely talks about his citizenship. Today, he credits the military system for the opportunity it gave him.
“I think it says a lot about the United States military at large, that somebody who’s a naturalized citizen can rise through the ranks to serve as a three-star general,” he said. “The fact that I’m doing it in Europe makes it even more vivid and impacting.”
The general described the military promotion structure as one based on “meritocracy,” that if someone does his or her job and shows potential for the future then doors open.
“Self-motivation and performance is met with an accepting environment,” Gorenc said. “There is no ceiling in my view. You can go as far as you want to go.”
The general believes his 32 months at Ramstien had a positive impact for U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility.
“The thing I am most proud of is what has become a non-stop requirement to adjust to changes,” he said. “We were essentially a store that had to remain open while under construction.”
Third Air Force met a variety of challenges, from developing two ballistic missile defense initiatives, introducing and growing the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise, and responding to the crisis in Libya, among others.
“One thing is clear about the military today. You don’t have the ability to go back, stop, re-tool, and then open up (your store) again, because there are other ongoing missions that have to happen,” Gorenc said.
The general discussed 3rd Air Force’s role, along with U.S. Army Europe and Navy Europe, in developing a ballistic missile defense design in two parts of EUCOM’s AOR.
“Together, we built the defense designs from the ground up. It took tremendous teamwork with our partners to do that,” he said.
When asked about his perspective on the Air Force leading the BMD initiative, he said the Air Force is uniquely suited.
“BMD is a mission where the threat can go through many areas of responsibility within a matter of minutes,” he said. “And since the Air Force traditionally operates across geographical boundaries routinely, we are used to providing command and control in that environment. We are a good integrator of all available capability, especially when looking at BMD from a theater perspective, which is what the mission requires.”
Along with BMD was the successful standup of the European based remotely piloted aircraft enterprise. The RPA mission enables sharing of important intelligence and changes in the security environment required to make adjustments across the board, particularly with respect to the communications infrastructure.
“The communications infrastructure adjustments to accommodate both the emerging missile defense and the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise are a credit to our Service,” the general said. “This is a very important part of the Air Force story worldwide and certainly a feather in our hat.”
“U.S. Air Forces in Europe is a big part of both enterprises, and the fact that we were able to deliver very reliable and resilient BMD and RPA capability to this level is a credit to all USAFE and 3rd Air Force Airmen,” he said.
In the midst of these emerging missions the conflict in Libya escalated.
“I would say that the validation of the effectiveness of 3rd Air Force was how 17th Air Force, USAFE and 3rd Air Force came together on very short notice to execute a conflict that really nobody thought would ever happen,” Gorenc said. “This is the delivery of precise combat airpower with nobody on the ground.”
The operation began as Odyssey Dawn until command and control was turned over to NATO, when it was renamed Operation Unified Protector. Under OUP 3rd AF continued to provide forces until stand-down of the operation.
“Libya may be far from over from a strategic point of view,” the general said. “But, for the part we were involved in I think Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector were the blue ribbon events for 3rd Air Force. I’m very proud of that.”
Gorenc moves on now as the assistant vice chief of staff and director, Air Staff, Headquarters United States Air Force at the Pentagon.
“As long as you pledged to serve, you should make the most of every single day that you have,” he said. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to serve in the United States military.”
