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.)
The U.S. military carried out air strikes against Islamic State training camps in Syria on Oct. 11, U.S. Central Command announced. The airstrikes came amid concerns that the militant group is trying to rebuild its capabilities following its defeat in 2019 by the U.S. and its regional allies, the Syrian Democratic…