Brig. Gen. Margaret Woodward on Monday assumed command of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) during a change-of-command ceremony at Ramstein AB, Germany. Woodward was appointed for the position back in April. She replaces Maj. Gen. Ron Ladnier who led 17th AF since October 2008 and is set to officially retire on September 1. Woodward is slated to receive a second star soon as the Senate in May approved her promotion to the grade of major general. (Ramstein photo caption by A1C Brea Miller)
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
