Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip assumed command of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Friday during a ceremony at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Seip, who was confirmed for his new post by the Senate in May, takes over from Lt. Gen. Randall M. Schmidt, who will officially retire on Sept. 1. Seip, who last served as assistant deputy chief of staff for air, space, information operations, plans, and requirements on the Air Staff, is a 1974 Air Force Academy graduate
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

