Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, the former commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, was inducted into the Order of the Sword during a Nov. 18 ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon an officer. “You have served our command and specifically our enlisted corps greatly in the most challenging times in our history,” said AFSOC command chief CMSgt. Gregory Smith. “You have led us to a point where we can look into the future, we can see the challenges ahead of us, and yet know we can meet any challenge and win any fight because we’ve had you as a leader.” Heithold led the command from July 2014 until this past July.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
