Gen. Philip Breedlove last week took charge of US European Command during a ceremony at the command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Breedlove, who previously oversaw Air Force units in Europe, succeeded Adm. James Stavridis, who led the command since summer 2009. Stavridis is retiring from the Navy after a 37-year career. He will also relinquish his position as NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe to Breedlove in an upcoming ceremony, according to a Defense Department release. “Today, we transfer command responsibility from one outstanding leader to another and recognize the accomplishments of the men and women of US European Command over the past four years,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who presided over the May 10 change-of-command ceremony. “I will endeavor to continue the tremendous work of Admiral Stravidis to foster and strengthen partnerships both locally and across the region,” said Breedlove. Stavridis told Breedlove, “You will be superb and I’m proud to turn this command over to you.” The former is slated to become dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. (Includes AFPS report by Claudette Roulo and Stuttgart report by Sgt. Rick Scavetta)
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.