Gen. Philip Breedlove became NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe during a ceremony at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe near Mons, Belgium, on Monday. He succeeded Adm. James Stavridis, who held the position of the alliance’s top military commander since summer 2009. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen presided over the change of command. “As I take command today, I am humbled by the great company I am joining, intrigued by the challenges we will face together, and inspired by the recent achievements of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines from across this incredible alliance,” said Breedlove. “As SACEUR, my first and enduring priority will be to ensure that NATO remains vigilant and prepared to meet the challenges and threats of the future with agile, capable, and interoperable military forces,” he added. “You will help shape a new and NATO-led mission to train, assist, and advise Afghan forces after 2014” when the alliance’s combat mission ends in Afghanistan, said Rasmussen. Breedlove is the 17th American officer and third Air Force general to hold the SACEUR post since its inception in 1951. Breedlove took the reins of US European Command from Stavridis in a separate ceremony on May 10. (Allied Command Operations release) (See also Breedlove’s blog post and Rasmussen’s remarks.)
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
