Speaking to a breakfast gathering on Capitol Hill Tuesday, US Air Forces in Europe commander Gen. Tom Hobbins said that USAFE hasn’t seen the last of its transformation efforts—or downsizing. Despite earlier comments that USAFE has taken its share of cuts, Hobbins says he may move some elements within the command. He believes that there are more “efficiencies” to be had, specifically mentioning isolated activities at the former Sembach and Bitburg Air Bases in Germany and former Izmir AB, Turkey. Hobbins said there is a NATO facility at Izmir that could be joined up in one location and consolidated with USAFE. Bitburg still houses a medical facility, housing, and a school that USAFE now wants to move over to Spangdahlem. “We want to use resources more effectively and consolidate,” he added.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…