Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove has been tapped to take command of US Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AB, Germany, announced the Pentagon May 11. Breedlove, in his current job since January 2011, would replace Gen. Mark Welsh at USAFE’s helm. President Obama has nominated Welsh to be the next Air Force Chief of Staff. To fill the vice chief slot, the Air Force eyes Lt. Gen. Larry Spencer, whom Obama has nominated for promotion to the rank of general. Spencer has been the Joint Staff’s director of force structure, resources, and assessment since August 2010. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Noel Jones for a third star for assignment as USAFE’s vice commander. Jones is currently serving as director of operational capability requirements on the Air Staff.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.