Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove has been tapped to take command of US Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AB, Germany, announced the Pentagon May 11. Breedlove, in his current job since January 2011, would replace Gen. Mark Welsh at USAFE’s helm. President Obama has nominated Welsh to be the next Air Force Chief of Staff. To fill the vice chief slot, the Air Force eyes Lt. Gen. Larry Spencer, whom Obama has nominated for promotion to the rank of general. Spencer has been the Joint Staff’s director of force structure, resources, and assessment since August 2010. Obama also nominated Maj. Gen. Noel Jones for a third star for assignment as USAFE’s vice commander. Jones is currently serving as director of operational capability requirements on the Air Staff.
Air Force F-16 pilots are testing out new sensors that could help maximize their performance and avoid deadly accidents while flying fast fighter jets under heavy G-forces and stressful conditions.