Breedlove Takes Helm of European Command

Gen. Philip Breedlove on Friday took charge of US European Command during a ceremony at the command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Breedlove, who previously served as commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, succeeded Adm. James Stavridis, who is retiring from the Navy after a 37-year career. Stavridis will also relinquish his position as NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe to Breedlove in an upcoming ceremony, according to a Defense Department May 10 release. “Phil’s no stranger to Europe, and I know that our NATO allies and partners are looking forward to working with him again in his new role,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who presided over the ceremony. Breedlove praised everyone at EUCOM, saying through team work, “We achieve success on behalf on our allies and our respective nations and their citizens.” Stavridis has been named dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. (AFPS report by Claudette Roulo)