The former commander of US Air Forces in Europe, Gen. Tom Hobbins, had served in the Air Force for more than 38 years upon his ceremonial retirement on Dec. 10. Hobbins entered the service in 1969, taking an Officer Training School commission and graduating from pilot training a year later. He amassed about 5,000 flying hours, principally in the AT-28, A-10, F-15C, and F-15E. He commanded tactical fighter wings, a composite group, and a numbered air force, and served in staff positions at various levels. Gen. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff, said of Hobbins during the ceremony, “Whether it’s combat in Southeast Asia, whether it’s serving as an instructor, or whether it’s transitioning to new aircraft, you’ve been an example to all of us.” (Lt. Gen. Roger Brady is awaiting confirmation as his replacement.) (USAF report by Capt. Joel Harper)
The Air Force is on track to reach its annual goal of graduating 1,500 new pilots that had proved elusive to this point, one year after the service launched a sweeping overhaul of its undergraduate pilot training program, Air Education and Training Command said Sept. 14.
