Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson took command of 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force, filling the leadership vacancy left by the retirement of Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin earlier this year. “Together with our allies and partners, our friends, there is no challenge that is going to be presented to 3rd AF that we won’t overcome,” said Roberson during the June 11 assumption-of-command ceremony at Ramstein AB, Germany. US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Commander Gen. Frank Gorenc presided over the ceremony. Third Air Force is the numbered air force that supports US military operations in the European and African theaters. Roberson previously served as vice director of operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He is a 1983 graduate of the Air Force Academy and has logged more than 5,000 hours in several fighters, including the F-22. Franklin requested retirement in January; it took effect in April. (Ramstein report by SSgt. Ryan Crane)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
