Lt. Gen. William Etter assumed command of the Continental US NORAD Region-1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) during a ceremony at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Etter, an Air National Guardsman, took the reins from Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke during the March 7 change-of-command ceremony, according to Tyndall’s March 8 release. “I am looking forward to working with all of you,” said Etter to the team of Active Duty airmen, Air Guardsman, Air Force Reservists, interagency personnel, and Canadian military members who staff the two organizations. Etter previously served as the assistant to the Joint Chiefs Chairman for National Guard matters. “Lieutenant General Etter arrives at this command with a robust level of experience and he gets things done,” said Clarke in praising his successor. “I can’t think of a better officer to replace me here at CONR-1st Air Force.” Clark, who led the two organizations since Aug. 2011, is moving on to become the Air National Guard director. He’s scheduled to take command on March 22, according to the Air Guard’s website. Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, NORAD commander and US Northern Command boss, officiated the Tyndall ceremony.
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…