Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson assumed command of Air Education and Training Command during a July 21 ceremony at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, taking over from Gen. Robin Rand, who is heading to Barksdale AFB, La., where he will lead Air Force Global Strike Command. Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, who officiated the ceremony, highlighted some of the milestones during Rand’s tenure at AETC, including the stand-up of the Profession of Arms Center of Excellence and changes to the Basic Military Training curriculum. Rand thanked attendees at the event, and told airmen to keep up the hard work of producing, educating, and training the “future leaders of our Air Force.” After receiving the command flag, Roberson said he was honored, humbled, and excited to begin work at AETC. “The mission of our command is vital to the success of our Air Force and the American way of war,” he said. “Airpower starts right here.” Roberson was tapped to take over AETC earlier this year, as the command transitioned from a four-star major command to a three-star billet in order to elevate the commander of AFGSC to a four-star position. (AETC release.)
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…