U
S Central Comman
d Air Forces boss, Air Force Lt. Gen. Gary North recently toured areas of Africa under the umbrella of CENTCOM’s Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and confirmed that “to get to some of the places in CJTF-HOA, you’ve got to have airpower.” And, he sees airpower’s role growing, not diminishing, as DOD establishes its new Africa Command, reports journalist TSgt. Carrie Bernard. North explained, “Many people don’t realize the actual size of Africa—you can put the United States, China, and Europe inside its outline—so airpower … is going to be critical.”
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
