Gen. Mike Hostage assumed command of Air Combat Command from Gen. William Fraser during a ceremony at JB Langley-Eustis, Va. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over Tuesday’s change-of-command ceremony. Hostage, who led Air Forces Central since August 2009, received his fourth star prior to taking ACC’s helm. “Your support during my time [at AFCENT] really made the difference,” he told the hundreds of airmen present. Schwartz said the Air Force has “complete confidence” in Hostage’s ability to excel as head of the combat air forces. “These last few years have presented some of the greatest possible challenges to the CAF as we sought to balance organizing, training, and equipping aircrews to win today’s war with preparing them for tomorrow’s needs,” noted Schwartz. Fraser, who served as ACC commander since September 2009, is moving to his new assignment as head of US Transportation Command at Scott AFB, Ill. (Langley release)
F-15E Aviator Missing in Iran Rescued by US Forces
April 5, 2026
The second crew member of the Air Force F-15E shot down April 3 has been rescued from Iran. U.S. forces recovered the aviator alive and all American forces involved in the operation are believed to be safe, U.S. officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine.