Rand Takes Charge of Air Education and Training Command

Gen. Edward Rice passed on the leadership of Air Education and Training Command to Gen. Robin Rand during a ceremony officiated by Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh at JBSA-Randolph, Tex. “I will do everything humanly possible to ensure the airmen trained in the first command will be prepared to carry the nation’s load,” said Rand after assuming command during the Oct. 10 ceremony. He comes to AETC after having led 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., since December 2011. He now oversees the Air Force’s recruiting, training, and education activities and the force of some 60,000 uniformed airmen and civilians that executes them. Welsh praised Rice, who retired at the event. “For the last 35 years of service, Ed has been a giant in our Air Force,” said Welsh. Rice “worked tirelessly to create an environment of pride, and has been a spectacular role model,” said Welsh. Rice was at AETC’s helm for the past three years. Among the challenges he faced during his tenure was restoring basic military training after a series of personnel scandals rocked it. (Randolph report by TSgt. Beth Anschutz)